Hi Tom,
For definition of the engravings, I'd try direct light from an angle of the plane of the engravings. Start at 45 degrees to see if you can create shadows in them. The color sounds like a white balance issue. The flash has a color temperature of 5500 to 6500. If you set your camera to that, you should get accurate colors for the clocks. If you want a creamier background, maybe use an incandescent light bulb for that. The warmer 3200 temp will yellow up a white wall when the camera's white balance is set to the flashes white balance.

You can also add a white card on the other side of where the flash is to reduce the shadows created by the flash. So aim the flash kinda between the clock and the white card. Adjust the distance of the card to increase or decrease its effect.

Hmmm, I realized I made an assumption you have an off camera flash unit. Yes, no?