Liberty's Clock - Great Marlborough Street, London, UK
N 51° 30.823 W 000° 08.434
30U E 698402 N 5710831
The clock is above an arch that spans Kingly Street on the south west side of Great Marlborough Street. The clock is mounted on the Liberty store and is accessible at all hours.
Waymark Code: WMFFKY
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/12/2012
Views: 2
The clock is set into a stone wall of
Liberty's store above an arch that crosses Kingly Street. Beneath the clock in
gold lettering with an black background is the inscription:
"No minute gone comes ever back again take heed and see ye
nothing do in vain".
Beneath the inscription, Father Time is carved in relief and
he is holding an hour glass in his hands. Above his head is some floral scroll
work. Around the four corners of the clock face are cherubs heads again carved
in relief, these are blowing and represent the four winds. To the left of the
clock face, at an angle, is further relief carving that depicts a cockerel
reared up and with its wings spread. To the right, again on an angle, is a
further piece of relief carving that depicts an owl. Running above the clock
face and around the angles is some more relief carving that is floral with
berries.
Above the clock is an opening where St George can be seen on
his white horse. He is wearing gold armour and is carrying a lance. To the right
of St George is a dragon that has green wings and its head is tuned to face the
saint with fire coming from its mouth. On the quarter hours St George chases the
dragon and on the hour he slays it.
Moving on to the clock face. It is round and is slightly
recessed into the stonework and is blue in colour. Around the edge of the face
is a gold band with another gold band at about two thirds radius. There are no
minute marks on the clock. The hour marks are slightly raised from the face and
are gold in colour and are traditional Roman numerals with 'IIII' being used
instead of 'IV' for four. The numeral taper slightly to give the effect that
they emanate from the centre of the dial. At the centre of the dial is a gold
sunburst effect with the rays almost reaching the gold band.
The hands are blue and gold in colour and, if being honest,
are not that easy to see. The hour hand has a circular piece with a blue
background and mounted upon it is an hour glass in gold. Both hands have
decorative tails.
The Liberty blog [visit link] has
an item dated December 2010 just after the clock returned to service. It
says:
"The clock is back! Liberty’s historic timepiece has
been fully restored to its magnificent former glory. As the hour chimes, brave
St George once more slays the Dragon from his valiant steed.
At each quarter of the hour George chases the dragon in
rotation around the clock, and upon the hour raises his sword to smite the beast
with each chime. This depiction of the famous legend has been lovingly restored
by master craftsmen Gillett & Johnston. George and his mythical nemesis are
made from hand beaten fabricated copper which has been highlighted in 24 Carat
Gold Leaf. The track unit has been fitted with brand new electronics and a radio
signal monitoring system to ensure the accuracy of time keeping.
The much loved clock is set into the three story arched
bridge over Kingly Street, and in the four corners around the face are four
winged heads to represent the Four Winds. Morning is symbolised by a crowning
cock and rising sun; night by an owl and moon."