Mastery of Design: The Mesure/Strachan Snuffbox Clock, c. 1800

Snuffbox with Inset Clock, 1800
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Alexander James Strachan of London produced ornate and precious boxes for the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. This snuff box of enameled gold is the work of Strachan who carefully set the piece with borders of half pearls in a decidedly Swiss style. The center of the box is set with a chronometer made by Anthony Mesure (or Measure) around 1800. Strachan then made a clock key to match the box.

This is just one object from the monumental collection of Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde. The Gilbert Collection—donated to the V&A in 1996--is comprised of many examples of the decorative arts including silver, mosaics, enameled portrait miniatures and gold boxes.