JOHN SMITH OF PITTENWEEM (ACTIVE 1770-1816)
Pedestal clock
1780 - 1800RCIN 2918
This large-scale automaton and musical clock was made by John Smith, who came from the small fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife. The clock has three painted dials: the main dial, on the front, shows the time, lunar phases and tides; the musical dial, on the right, shows 16 tune titles; the automaton dial, on the left, shows processions of figures. The painting on the dials is by the landscape artist Alexander Nasmyth.
Presented as a wedding gift to the Duke of York (later King George VI) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, 1923