Summary

Wall Clock, Raingo Freres, Paris, no 832, circa 1850.

This fine mid-19th century wall clock belonged originally to David Elliot Wilkie (1815-1885), who with Andrew Clarke, Ferdinand von Mueller and J Macadam was instrumental in the establishment of the geological and natural history museum at the Assay Office in Melbourne in 1854 - the start of Museum Victoria. Wilkie was a leading member of the medical profession in Melbourne, chairman of the committee that established the Port Phillip Medical Association in 1846, and an honorary physician to the Melbourne Hospital. He was later a Council member of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria (to become the Royal Society of Victoria), and treasurer of the Exploration Committee that sponsored the Burke and Wills Expedition.

Physical Description

Ebony carved case, with lacquer and gilt decorative surrounds to dial. Marble dial with enamel and gilt numbers. The case of this clock is decorated primarily in green with white and gold and has a most attractive recessed panel on the front depicting a spray of various flowers, with further floral decoration on either side. The movement has counter-wheel strike on a bell, silk suspension and is signed Raingo Freres, Paris No 832, this number being repeated on the pendulum. The 3" diameter enamelled dial has Roman numerals and delicate blued steel hands.

Significance

This fine mid-19th century wall clock belonged originally to David Elliot Wilkie (1815-1885), who with Andrew Clarke, Ferdinand von Mueller and J Macadam was instrumental in the establishment of the geological and natural history museum at the Assay Office in Melbourne in 1854 - the start of Museum Victoria. Wilkie was a leading member of the medical profession in Melbourne, chairman of the committee that established the Port Phillip Medical Association in 1846, and an honorary physician to the Melbourne Hospital. He was later a Council member of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria (to become the Royal Society of Victoria), and treasurer of the Exploration Committee that sponsored the Burke and Wills Expedition.

The clock provides a glimpse of the domestic tastes and style of one of Melbourne's founding middle-class professionals, a group that was instrumental in establishing many of Melbourne's continuing scientific, professional and cultural institutions.

The clock has remained in the Wilkie family until its donation, passing (apparently) from David Elliot Wilkie to his sons Daniel and James, and then to James's son Elliot Lloyd Gordon Wilkie, thence to the donor James Elliot Wilkie, great-grandson of David Elliot Wilkie.

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