Near the Alcove Arm-chair, walnut wood, carved with the head of Neptune and acanthus foliage, with front legs in the form of dolphins: upholstered in red velvet, embroidered on the back in coloured silks and silver thread with the arms of the East India Company, 1698 (ar. a cross gu. in the dexter chief quarter an escutcheon of the arms of France and England, quarterly, the shield ornamented and regally crowned or. Crest: a lion ramp, guard, or, supporting between the fore paws a regal crown ppr. Supporters: two lions ramp, guard, or, each supporting a banner erect ar. charged with a cross gu. Motto: AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIÆ). In the "Old India House" this chair was the seat of the Chairman when presiding over the Court of Directors; it is shown in T. H. Shepherd's drawing in this exhibition, No. 66. At the India Office it has been used by each successive Secretary of State for India in Council. Height, 4 ft. 11-1/2 in. Middle of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
On either side of the Alcove
Clock, with circular dial, inscribed Ayns^{th} Thwaites London, in case of
gilt brass, supported on pedestal of mahogany and other woods,
carved on the frieze with a demi-figure and scrolled foliage.
Instrument (companion to above) showing sidereal time, the day of the week, month of the year, phases of the moon, direction of the wind and the weather: inscribed Ayns^{th} Thwaites Clerkenwell London.
The clock was brought from the "Old India House" in
Leadenhall Street. At the time the companion piece was lost sight
of, but years afterwards was found on the continent by Mr. Bertram
Currie, who purchased it and gave it back to the India Office
(see "Records of the Honourable East India Company").
Height (of each), 6 ft. 11-1/2 in.
Date, 1760-1770.
Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
