Lantern Clocks
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A lantern clock is a type of antique weight-driven wall clock, shaped like a lantern. They were the first type of clock widely used in private homes. They probably originated before 1500 but only became common after 1600 in Britain around 1620. Origin of the Name There are two theories of the origin of the name 'lantern clock'. One is that the name derived from the shape; the clock resembles a rectangular lantern of that period, and like a lantern was hung on the wall. The other is that it refers to brass, the main metal of which lantern clocks are made. Copper alloys, of which brass is one, were often called latten in earlier times and 'lantern' could be a corruption of this old word. In inventories of deceased clock makers, lantern clocks usually are simply referred to as 'house clocks', 'chamber clocks' or just 'clocks', since in 17th century England they were almost the only type of domestic clocks that existed. It was only after a century had passed, when other types of domestic clocks began to be used in British houses, that more descriptive names for it appeared. Other names used for these clocks are bedpost, birdcage or Cromwellian clocks. 'Sheep's head clock' was a fashionable term for a certain type of lantern clock that had an extremely large chapter ring covering almost the entire front. Origin of Lantern Clocks The English lantern clock
is closely related to lantern clocks that can be found
on the European continent. Most likely a group of
craftsmen from the Low Lands (Flanders) and France, of
which some were clock makers, had established themselves
in London at the end of the sixteenth century. At the
same time the middle classes in towns and cities of
England began to prosper slowly and a need for a new
phenomenon arose: the domestic clock. Until that time
clocks in English houses were confined to the nobility
and ordinary people were dependent on the tower clocks
of the local churches. Style characteristics Lantern clock were made
almost completely in brass, whereas most earlier clocks
had been constructed from iron and wood. Typical lantern
clocks comprised a square case on ball or urn feet, a
large circular dial (with a chapter ring extending
beyond the width of the case on early examples), a
single hour hand, and a large bell and finial. The
clocks usually had ornate pierced fretwork on top of the
frame. Guild system In only a few decades the lantern clock became very popular in London and from there its popularity spread to the entire country. This is derived from the vast quantity of lantern clocks that still exist. Dozens of clockmakers produced great numbers of these clocks in the city of London during the 17th century. This huge productivity was the result of the high demand for this popular clock in combination with an effective guild system. In 1631 King Charles I granted a charter for a clockmaker guild in London: the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, which exists to this day. Many of the well known clock makers from that era were freemen of this guild. Many small companies were established in Lothbury in London that functioned as suppliers for the clockmakers. A clockmaker could benefit from the services of, for example, brass founders who supplied cast brass clock parts, dial plates, finials, pillars, frets etcetera or employ engravers who would carry out the engraving of the dial plates and frets. The guild assured the quality of the products that left the clockmaker's workshops. Before a clockmaker could become a freeman, able to set up his own shop, he had to spend 7 years as an apprentice learning the trade. This insured independent clockmakers a plentiful supply of apprentices, who in fact were cheap labourers that helped to attain this high productivity. Influence of the Renaissance Style characteristics were copied from prints that were available for craftsmen. Under the influence of the Renaissance, prints with motives and patterns from the Classical antiquity found their way to the workshops. They served as examples for the clock pillars that were inspired by columns from Greek temples. During the 17th century the tulip became very popular to an extent of a real tulip mania. Prints with pictures of tulips were a rewarding subject for the adornment of the dial plates of lantern clocks. In the early 17th century lantern clocks got their characteristic shape which hardly changed during the 17th and halfway through the next century as a result of all this. Clock parts The London Clockmakers equipped their lantern clocks with four pillars that were inspired by classical columns. Attached to these pillars are classical vase-shaped finials and well-shaped feet. To those finials a bell strap is attached that spreads from four corners and holds a bell. To hide the hammer and the clock movement from the spectator three frets are attached to the finials. The front fret is pierced and is engraved whereas the two side frets are pierced but usually left blank. The front of the clock case consists of an engraved dial plate on which a circular dial ring is attached. Almost all lantern clocks have just one clock hand, the one that indicates the hours. A standard lantern clock only strikes the hours on a large bell and is often equipped with an alarm that rings the same bell. Two doors provide access to the movement and are hinged at the sides of the clock. One or more weights are hanging from ropes or chains at the bottom of the clock. |
