An Archibald Knox Cymric “Magnus” silver clock for Liberty & Co
Price range: Sold
For sale is this rare Magnus silver Liberty & Co Cymric clock, designed by Archibald Knox, dated Birmingham 1902. This is considered one of Knox’s finest clock designs, showing the influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
This clock has a lovely play of green blue enamel, with a predominantly green enamel face. All the enamels are in excellent original condition. The clock dial reads “Festina Lente”. The original Knox design for the Magnus simply says “dial” over a blank face but the Festine Lente dial is Knox’s design seen on the original sketch for his Olaf clock. Festina Lente translates as “take it easy” or “more haste, less speed”, an everyday gaelic phrase on the Isle of Man.
The clock appears as the first full page image on page 177 of Dr Stephen Martin’s book on Archibald Knox.
The clock is in excellent working condition. For a similar clock that recently sold at Sothebys, with write up by Dr Stephen Martin, click on this link.
Maker: Liberty & Co
Designer: Archibald Knox
Date : 1902
Marks: L & Co, Birmingham, date letter “c”, Model number 5024
Material: Sterling silver, enamel dial
Condition: Excellent
Size: 12.5 cm high with handle down, 8 cm wide
Weight : NM
Additional Information
The design drawing for the clock can be found at the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture (MODA), Middelesex University reference SD 2081 and is named “Magnus”. Magnus was a 13th century King of the Isle of Man and son of Olaf, after whom Knox named his very first clock design. See item A321 in the archive.
| Period | Art nouveau, Arts and crafts |
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