English grandfather clock

English grandfather clock

This English grandfather clock was produced around the middle of the 18th century. The machinery is signed by the London clockmakers Robert and Peter Higgs. It is not known how it reached the sacristy of the cathedral, although it was probably gifted by a canon following the custom that existed of embellishing the collegiate church with these donations. It has a wooden cabinet lacquered on its main side and decorated with chinoiserie motifs. The scenes depicted are extremely exotic, with Western evocations of Chinese art that were very popular in Europe during the 18th century.