Clock, organ clock

This elaborate and large musical or organ clock plays ten different tunes. The painted dial includes a number of moving parts including a water-wheel, ships, people crossing a bridge, a dog swimming after a duck, two ladies greeting one another, and three workmen engaged in hammering, sawing and knife-grinding.

George Pyke was one of London's leading musical clockmakers from the 1760s until his death in 1779. An advertisement in the Lloyds Evening Post newspaper of 19-22 March 1779, announced the sale of his stock of organs, harpsicords and clocks by his widow, Catherine. George Pyke is described as 'Late Organ-Builder to his Majesty, and esteemed the first Mechanic in that Branch of any in the Kingdom.' London-made musical clocks were very expensive to buy. Many were exported to China where they were known as 'zimingzhong' or 'self-ringing bells'. Others were acquired by members of the Royal family and the aristocracy.