%0 Journal Article
%T A royal gift? Mrs Strangways Horner’s small silver clock, 1740
%A Tessa Murdoch
%A Jonathan Betts
%D 2019
%V 
%N Spring 2019
%K Antiquarian Horology
%K Augusta
%K Bath Infirmary
%K bonds
%K Clock
%K Court
%K Daniel Garnier
%K Frederick
%K Henley; Paul de Lamerie
%K Henry Perry
%K Huguenot
%K Isaac Lacam
%K Jewellers
%K Lady Archibald Hamilton
%K Mrs Strangways Horner
%K Park Place
%K patronage
%K Peter Dutens
%K Prince of Wales
%K Princess of Wales
%K Rococo
%K Royal Archives
%K Silver
%K Soho craftsmen
%K toilet service
%K trade cards
%K Victoria and Albert Museum
%X This article celebrates the rediscovery of a small silver-cased clock allegedly given to Mrs Strangways Horner by Lady Archibald Hamilton on behalf of Augusta, Princess of Wales in 1740. As well as being a very early example of high rococo styling in such a piece, it represents the interest that scientific instruments and timepieces held for Prince Frederick and Princess Augusta, recently recognised by the acquisition for the V&A of the mantel clock purchased by Prince Frederick in 1736. Research in the Royal Archives has confirmed their joint patronage of established Huguenot jewellers in London and Bath, who supported these royal patrons by providing extended credit, although the exact relationship between Princess Augusta, Lady Archibald Hamilton and Mrs Strangways Horner, and the reason for the gift of this clock, is unrecorded. The original choice of a re-purposed watch movement and dial in such a fine piece is also discussed and explained.
%Z We would like to thank Nigel Israel for identifying the citrine quartz in November 2018.

%Z Compare the inscription on the back of one of the silver containers, which forms part of the Garnier toilet service transcribed in footnote 6.

%Z The marriage was reported in The Weekly Miscellany 27 March 1736, issue CLXXI, and described Elizabeth Horner as the only daughter and heiress of Thomas Strangeways(sic) Horner, Knight of the Shire for the County of Somerset.

%Z Written in 1888–9, the story was published in 1891.

%Z Mrs Strangways Horner’s fellow subscriber to the Bath Infirmary in 1738 was the Huguenot Paul Bertrand, who ran a fashionable toy shop patronised by Frederick, Prince of Wales.

%Z One of the silver containers has the engraved inscription on the underside ‘THE GIFT OF MY DEAR MOTHER MRsSTRANGWAYS HORNER IN THE YEAR 1740’. The toilet service is on display in Hampton Court Palace.

%Z RA GEO/MAIN/55425; Princess Augusta’s Abstract for expenses 17 July 1739 to 4 July 1740 includes the following payments for jewellery: Augst No.9 Duten Jeweller £125 10; 1740 May 25 Duten Jeweller £107 6; July 25 Lacam Jeweller £68 10

%Z RA GEO/ADD/17/65/1 cover the period 6 July 1736–June 30 1743 and were acquired at auction from Messrs Hodgson in Chancery Lane on 7 March 1941 (lot 633); they include the payments: ‘f.54 no.5 June 1740 lacam ye Jewellers Bill in full £68 10; f. 56 August 1740 no.3 To Duten ye Jewellers Bill £100’

%I The Science Museum Group
%@ 2054-5770
%B eng
%U https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/mrs-strangways-horners-silver-clock/
%J Science Museum Group Journal