Clock · Mantelpiece clock

'The Courier of St. Petersburg' mantelpiece clock

Partially verified

The 'Courier of St. Petersburg' is a mahogany mantelpiece clock dated to circa 1850 of British origin. The clock is housed in a hexagonal mahogany case surmounted by a turned wooden onion-shaped finial and features brass decorative elements. It rests on a rectangular stand supported by brass ball feet. A prominent feature is the brass cut-out panel mounted along the front of the stand, which depicts the circus act of Andrew Ducrow, known as the 'Courier of St. Petersburg', illustrating a performer riding five horses in hand. The clock face is set within the hexagonal body, which is flanked by brass loops on either side. The piece also includes a drawer located on the right-hand side of the base. It is documented as containing a modern movement. The clock was donated to the British Theatre Museum Association in 1965 and was later part of a V&A circus display.

The 'Courier of St. Petersburg' mantelpiece clock, featuring a brass panel depicting Andrew Ducrow's circus act. — Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: collections.vam.ac.uk
Category: Clock · Mantelpiece clock
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: S.877-1981
Source-reported date: ca. 1850
Source-reported place: Great Britain

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The clock is constructed from mahogany and features a hexagonal case mounted upon a rectangular stand. The design incorporates a turned wooden onion-shaped finial atop the hexagonal housing, with brass loops attached to both sides. The stand is elevated on brass ball feet and incorporates a drawer in the right-hand side.

The decorative scheme is heavily reliant on brass embellishments, including inlaid brass detailing on the case. The most distinct element is the brass cut-out panel attached to the front of the stand, which portrays Andrew Ducrow performing his 'Courier of St. Petersburg' act. The image illustrates the performer riding five horses in hand, standing on the rear two with the other three positioned in front.

Evidence for this section

“Mahogany mantelpiece clock with a modern movement in a hexagonal case on a rectangular stand with brass ball feet, with inlaid brass detail and a brass cut-out panel along the front of the stand”
“The clock has a turned wooden onion-shaped finial, brass loops at each side and a drawer in the right hand side.”

Provenance and Display

The object was donated to the British Theatre Museum Association by Antony Hippisley Coxe in May 1965. It later became part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's permanent collection under the accession number S.877-1981.

Beyond its origin, the clock was selected for public exhibition in the V&A museum. Specifically, it was featured in the circus display held in Gallery 104A between April 2018 and February 2019, which commemorated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the circus.

Evidence for this section

“Given to the British Theatre Museum Association by Antony Hippisley Coxe in May 1965.”
“Exhibited in the V&A circus display, Gallery 104A, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the foundation of circus, April 2018 to February 2019”

Movement and Condition

The internal mechanics of the clock are identified as a modern movement. This indicates that the current timekeeping mechanism is not contemporaneous with the mahogany and brass housing of the clock, which dates to circa 1850.

The source provides details regarding the dimensions of the piece, noting a height of 57 cm, a width of 36 cm, and a depth of 15.7 cm. No specific maintenance or restoration history is provided beyond the donor information and museum exhibition record.

Evidence for this section

“Mahogany mantelpiece clock with a modern movement”
“ca. 1850”

Open research questions

What is the history of the modern movement replacement?
Who was the original maker of the mahogany case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 'The Courier of St. Petersburg' mantelpiece clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Date	ca. 1850	“ca. 1850”
Place of origin	Great Britain	“Great Britain (made)”
Dimensions	57.0 cm x 36.0 cm x 15.7 cm	“Height: 57.0 cm; Width: 36.0 cm; Depth: 15.7 cm”
Materials	Mahogany and brass	“Mahogany and brass”
Movement	Modern	“modern movement”
Accession number	S.877-1981	“S.877-1981”
Subject	Andrew Ducrow's 'Courier of St. Petersburg' act	“Andrew Ducrow's Courier of St. Petersburg act of horsemanship riding five in hand”

Visible details

Hexagonal case design
Brass cut-out panel depicting an equestrian act
Brass ball feet
Integrated side drawer

Research qualifications

The movement is noted as a modern replacement
The original maker is not identified in the source

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

'The Courier of St. Petersburg' mantelpiece clock

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record a431489b58

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.