This large and elaborate musical clock originally included compositions by George Frideric Handel, Francesco Geminiani, and Arcangelo Corelli.  Its maker, Charles Clay, died before its completion, and in his obituary of 1740 it was reported that 'before he died, he ordered a Musical Machine, which had cost him about 20 years time, and upwards of 2000L to bring to Perfection, to be beat to pieces, and entirely destroyed, to prevent further Expence of the Time and Money of anyone who should attempt to finish it after his death'.  Nevertheless, the clock was completed by the clockmaker John Pyke (active 1710–77) and was displayed in London in 1743, before being acquired by Augusta, Princess of Wales (1719–72).  Its name refers to the four great empires of antiquity – Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome – which are represented on its four faces.