Provenance

Sir William Congreve was an artillery officer and prolific inventor. He is best known for the design of the military rocket, which was a significant advance on earlier black-powder rockets. Less used when overtaken by improved artillery and ordnance, they continued to find uses for flares and ship rescue. He is also usually considered the first modern inventor to propose plating warships with armour to protect against artillery fire. Upon the death of his father in 1814 (whose baronetcy he inherited), he became comptroller of the Royal Laboratory of Woolwich Arsenal between 1814-22 and from 1818 until his death, he was member of Parliament for Plymouth. He was also an Equerry to the Prince Regent in 1811. He was the inventor of the rolling ball clock and an 'extreme' detached escapement.

The clock was in use in the Library until Carlton House was demolished.

Included in the Pictorial Inventory of 1827-33 – RCIN 934768. The inventory was originally created as a record of the clocks, vases, candelabra and other miscellaneous items from Carlton House, as well as selected items from the stores at Buckingham House, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace for consideration in the refurbishment of Windsor Castle.