SMALL LANTERN CLOCK WITH STRIKING AND BALANCE Ca. 1650 England

M&R183

SMALL SIZED LANTERN CLOCK WITH STRIKING AND BALANCE
Circa 1650
England

Movement
The weight-driven movement is constructed between vertical bars and consists of going, striking and alarm trains. The going train has a vertical verge escapement with balance. The striking mechanism, controlled by a countwheel, indicates the hours fully on a bell. The clock also has an alarm.

Dial
The brass dial has a brass chapter ring with Roman numerals. The quarter hours are indicated with strokes, the strokes for the half hours continuing in the shape of tulip motifs. The chapter ring protrudes slightly from the case on both sides. The time is indicated by a single steel hour hand. The brass alarm disc in the centre of the dial has Arabic hour numerals and a Tudor rose in the middle. There are buttons on the edge of the alarm disc to facilitate turning the alarm disc. The remaining part of the centre is beautifully engraved, in which tulip and leaf motifs are recognisable.

Case
The brass case has four pillars on the corners, at the top with vase-shaped finials and at the bottom with drop finials. There are two doors to the sides. The frets between the finials are openwork and the fret on the front is engraved, so-called ‘dolphin frets’. The bell is mounted on the case in a brass bell strap, which is surmounted by a turned finial with the same shape as those on the corners.

Duration: half a day
Height: 24 cm.
Depth: 8.5 cm.
Width: 9.5 cm.

Literature
George White, English Lantern Clocks.