I need help ASAP to move and conserve a Kit Williams clock!

[Saffron]

Little Saff's godfather has rescued and given to her the Kit Williams clock 'Lady and the Tiger Illusion Clock'. It can no longer be stored where we currently have it in Brockley, and it needs to be moved to storage or new housing immediately!

A delight to children young and old, we would like it to be displayed somewhere easily accessible to all. We need emergency help/advice/possible temporary storage!! The clock is currently in good condition but requires some urgent sensitive repair and restoration.

Can anyone help us? What museums or public spaces might house it? It needs a large space, eg 3+ meters high. Sadly the Horniman cannot take it because they don't take domestic works, only international.

Any advice or help gratefully received. xx

[bluesuperted]

Museum of Childhood perhaps? Hopefully someone expert will have some more ideas!

[sillywoman]

Wow Saff!! What an amazing and special gift, what an amazing Godfather - Lucky little Saff. I'm racking my brains but all that I can come up with is the Cumming museum on the Walworth Road? I know they hd a fire some years back and had to close, but maybe they're open again now?

Does it have to be indoors?

[Saffron]

Thanks we will try to contact them this week.

Any artists or engineers with a Kit Williams passion, please get in touch with ideas. All advice gratefully considered. I will try to take a picture and post it tomorrow. In the meantime you can Google etc for pics online. It's a fantastic thing.

[sillywoman]

Is it this one Saff? http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8491000/8491177.stm

[Saffron]

Yup. Rescued from the back garden in Gloucestershire, now residing in a back garden in Brockley.

[sanity girl]

What about the Geffrye museum?

[verds]

Oh wow, I was obsessed with Masquerade when I was little! I think the hare was in the V&A at one point. Not much use, but what an amazing thing to have.

[Saffron]

Thanks, I will see if the V&A or Geffrye can advise further. :)

[hpsaucey]

Saffron Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Thanks, I will see if the V&A or Geffrye can

> advise further. :)

PM'd you with some curatorial suggestions... its a lovely thing!

HP

[miss]

What about a library? Maybe the Carnegie?

[Saffron]

Ah, hadn't thought of a library! That could be a really nice public space... hmm although I'm not sure how much noise it makes (loud tick-tock?), as it isn't currently running.

Did anyone see this clock previously when it was running? I'd love to know your thoughts on it. xx

[melbourne groover]

What about The Horniman?

[Saffron]

That was our first thought, but the Horniman advised that they only take international pieces for long term display. Not sure if it would be worth making further enquiries based on it's unique ethnographic appeal? We're currently pursuing all leads! xx

[Cora]

I know it's not as good as a museum but just for large space maybe a local school....could be quite a centrepiece/mascot for them....memories of 'the tiger clock'....I know nothing of spaces in schools but if not at The Horniman Museum maybe The Horniman School? Even as a temporary home....

[Saffron]

Thanks, Cora, I'll make enquiries in that direction. xx

[Saffron]

What we really need at the moment is better temporary storage.

The clock has been in our friends' garage this spring, but they need the space now. So we've had to move it onto their back patio, covered with a tarpaulin. This is obviously less than ideal for many reasons! Because the clock is so large, it's not easy to move or store. xx

[Monkey]

How about the Discovery Centre in Stratford?

[Monkey]

Or the Polka theatre in Wimbledon? Or the Unicorn theatre in London Bridge?

[Saffron]

Some pics...

[Saffron]

More pics...

[scareyt]

Wow what a cool crazy thing to own! I wonder if a furniture or clock restorer might store it for you until you find it a permanent home? And maybe even do some free restoration work on it in return for free publicity once it's on display? Might be worth asking around.

[Saffron]

Sponsored restoration -great idea! Will look into it. Thanks! xx

[intexasatthe moment]

so sorry that you're still without help .

Clockmakers museum????? http://www.clockmakers.org/museum-and-library/museum/

[lizbells6]

Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music are in Northleach, Glos. They have a museum and restoration/conservation workshop. They might be interested or have some advice.