Time Is Money As Rare Clock Secures Record Price

An Edinburgh seller got the shock of her life when her rare timepiece was snapped up for £36,000 at auction – more than seven times its estimate.

The Cymric silver mantel clock by Archibald Knox (1864-1933) is of a previously unrecorded design, and one of the finest examples of its kind to come to auction.  The price achieved at McTear’s represents one of the highest ever for a Knox timepiece.

Knox is recognised as one of the UK’s most important designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with examples of his work featuring in some of the world’s most prestigious collections and museums, including the Met in New York. 

The piece, which resided in an Edinburgh property before the family decided to consign it to auction, was produced for Liberty & Co. in 1901.  The clock has a two train eight day movement by A.D. Mougin, with the enamel dial featuring the motto TIME ENOUGH. 

Commenting on the auction, McTear’s specialist, Stewart Atkinson, said: “This is a beautiful piece from a period when Archibald Knox was at the height of his powers.  It is extremely rare to find a Cymric clock of this quality at auction, a fact that was quite clear when the bidding started.  It was a fabulous sale which ended with some very happy faces when the hammer eventually came down in favour of a telephone bidder from South East England.”

Archibald Knox (1864–1933) was a Manx designer who profoundly influenced modern British design. Known for blending Celtic motifs with Art Nouveau and modernism, he was Liberty's primary designer between 1897-1912, helping the department store become a leading design institution. His work spans silver, pewter, ceramics, jewellery, and textiles.

The mantel clock featured in McTear’s 19th & 20th Century Design auction on 14th August in Glasgow.  The price quoted includes buyer’s premium and VAT thereon.

For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, visit our Glasgow Galleries or contact a specialist on 0141 810 2880 or auction@mctears.co.uk.