Beschreibung:

A Fine George III Scottish military commemorative ebonised musical bracket clock and Aitchison, Edinburgh, circa 1778 The substantial six pillar triple fusee movement with verge escapement, striking the hour on a bell before playing a lively tune on eight bells with fifteen hammers every hour, the foliate scroll engraved backplate with oval reserve signed Turnbull & Aitchison, Edinburgh within a leafy border with eagle surmount, the 8 inch black velvet covered break-arch dial with blued steel ring-turned collets to the winding holes and separately applied silvered Roman numerals with Arabic five minutes and dot minute markers between, the arch applied with shaped plaque inscribed in raised silvered lettering COL. BIRD 15 REG. HOBL. WILLM. FALCONER LT. GRENAD. KILLD. action of Brandywine SEPT. 11 1777 around a memento-mori motif on a black background, the bell top case with five pineapple finials above caddy moulded angles and brass handle over circular and concave-topped rectangular foliate pierced frets to sides, on moulded base with cast brass paw feet, 52cm (20.5ins) high. : The property of a private collector. Possibly commissioned by Anthony Adrian Keith-Falconer the 7th Lord Halkerton, 5th Earl of Kintore for his newly acquired seat, Keith Hall circa 1778. Thence down the family line to Arthur George Keith Falconer 12th Lord Halkerton, 10th Earl of Kintore before possibly passing to his widow Helena Zimmerman, (previously Duchess of Manchester) on his death in 1966. Thence by family descent until sold at Sotheby’s, London, January 21st 1995 (with provenance as property of the Dowager Countess of Manchester thence by descent). Subsequently at Hayfield House, Saratoga, California prior to acquisition by the current owner. clockmaking partnership of Turnbull and Aitchison (probably William and Robert) is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as being active 1768-80. current lot commemorates the loss of the 4th Earl of Kintore’s youngest son, Willem, at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The clock also commemorates the death of his commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel John Bird who was killed at the subsequent action of Germantown. battle at Brandywine Creek was the first significant action between the British and American forces during Sir William Howe’s Philadelphia campaign of 1777. late July Howe had landed his force of around 17,000 troops at the Northern end of Chesapeake Bay with the intention of marching on Philadelphia. The American force of 20,600 troops under the command of General George Washington positioned themselves near the strategic crossing of Brandywine Creek at Chadd’s Ford with further divisions covering other crossing points nearby. Lord Howe, (relying on better intelligence provided by sympathetic locals) decided to commit to an outflanking manoeuvre. As a diversion, around 5,000 troops, mainly Hessian Guards under the command of Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knymphausen, were deployed to confront Washington’s forces at Chadd’s Ford. rest of Howe’s forces, under the command of Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis, headed north, intending to cross Brandywine Creek at Trimble’s Ford before attacking the rear of Washington’s right flank. After crossing, Howe allowed his troops a two-hour rest from their exhausting 17 mile march (to take afternoon tea according to American accounts) before advancing on to outflank the American forces. Howe’s hesitation allowed the Americans enough time to consolidate some of their troops on higher ground at Birmingham Meeting House which subsequently slowed Howe’s advance enough to allow many of the enemy troops to withdraw safely. Meanwhile Knyphausen, on the east bank of the Brandywine at Chadd’s Ford advanced into the weakened American centre forcing their retreat. Careful damage limitation, co-ordinated by Gilburt du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, ensured that the battle was not turned into a rout of the American forces who managed to retr