Charles Frederick Hancock - Lot 6

Charles Frederick Hancock Rare two-part opening ball clock, finely engraved and chased with floral motifs, blued hands, contains a small glass bowl, signed CF Hancock London and marked H 63Y3.25F, keys present. H +-11.5cm. Note: Hancocks was founded on January 1, 1849 by Charles Frederick Hancock. He was previously a partner in Storr & Mortimer. He opened a store on the corner of Bruton Street and New Bond Street, London, from where he announced, in 1850: "As successor to Storr & Mortimer, jeweler and goldsmith specially commissioned by the principal sovereigns of Europe, (he) begs the nobility and gentry to convey to him his most grateful thanks for the kind patronage he has enjoyed, and respectfully (informs) them that he has lately established a manufactory adjoining his premises, which gives him additional means of producing works of art and making all kinds of plates, etc. The company took part in the Great Exhibition of 1851, presenting an impressive collection of silverware. It then exhibited in Paris in 1867 and Vienna in 1873. It was here that Hancocks received "only" the Emperors' Gold Medal for Science and Art, in addition to the "Prize Medal". In 1856, Mr. Hancock also received the prestigious award of designing and producing the Victoria Cross, which is still manufactured exclusively by the company today. Bibliography: J. Culme, 'The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Trades 1838-1914', Woodbridge 1987.