£40k restoration work completed on 250-year-old Temple Newsam House clock

A 250-year-old musical clock has been returned to Temple Newsam House to be put on display after undergoing an extensive £40k restoration and conservation makeover.

Restoration work on the Pyke Clock, made in 1765 by royal clockmaker George Pyke, was funded by the late Raymond Burton Charitable Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, Leeds Art Fund, the Friends of Leeds Museums.

After being in obscurity for the past 15 year, the clock will now be able to play its eight tunes from Georgian period, and as the barrel organ runs, a host of different figures spring into action to animate a festive rustic scene on the clock face.

The most intricate part of the restoration revolved around the clock’s metal work, which included gilt bronze figures of the gods and muses on the clock face, and there are ornamental pierced panels at the sides which screen the mechanism.

These are joined by flowers which entwine columns that support flaming torches while the figure of Mercury – the messenger of the gods – presides over the whole ensemble.

To signify the return of the lock, which stands 8 ft tall, Temple Newsam will hold a week-long celebration from Tuesday 28th April - May 4.

The Pyke Clock returning to Temple Newsam House follows the recent news of the Oakwood Clock, another Leeds landmark, returning to its position at the edge of Roundhay Park after extensive restoration.

Work on the Pyke Clock is the latest high-profile project to be carried that is dedicated to saving the priceless works at Temple Newsam House. Temple Newsam conservators undertook this project with specialist conservators and students of West Dean College, Sussex.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said: “We are delighted to welcome back the historic Pyke Clock to Temple Newsam House after a restoration programme that has returned one of our most iconic pieces to its former glory.

“To mark the return of the Pyke Clock we will be holding a week of celebrations from the 28 April which including the chance to hear from expert furniture conservator, Ian Fraser.

“A range of partners worked extremely hard to find the funding for the project, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their contribution and support in making this restoration a reality.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →