Charles Frederick Hancock Rare two-part ball clock, finely engraved and chased with floral motifs, blued hands, contains a small glass bowl, signed CF Hancock London and marked H 63Y3.25F, H +-11.5cm. Note: Hancocks was founded on 1 January 1849 by Charles Frederick Hancock. He was previously a partner in Storr & Mortimer. He opened a shop on the corner of Bruton Street and New Bond Street, London, from where he announced in 1850: "As successor to Storr & Mortimer, jewellers and goldsmiths specially commissioned by the principal sovereigns of Europe, (he) begs the nobles and gentry to express to him his most grateful thanks for the kind patronage he has enjoyed, and respectfully (informs) them that he has lately established a manufactory adjoining his premises, which gives him additional means of producing works of art and making all sorts of plates, etc. The company took part in the Great Exhibition of 1851, presenting an impressive collection of silverware. It then exhibited in Paris in 1867 and Vienna in 1873. It was here that Hancocks received 'only' the Emperors Gold Medal for Science and Art, in addition to the 'Prize Medal'. In 1856, Hancocks also received the prestigious award of designing and producing the Victoria Cross, which is still made exclusively by the company today. Bibliography: J. Culme, 'The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Trades 1838-1914', Woodbridge 1987.