Early 17th Century Lantern Clock
Height 5' 11" without glass dome.
This clock started out as a simple ornate movement, with only a single hour hand, that hung on a wall. Like most lantern clocks this one has been restored.
Movement is a mix of brass and iron. Fretwork on top is brass and marked “TM 1743”. Brass dial is marked “Thomas Lomas LONDON” in the center, and “Fugit Hora” (latin for “the hour flies” or “the hour flees, seize the day”) near the bottom.The movement is attached to a heavy brass plate that snuggly fits between pins on top of the wood base, “83.82.20” painted on it. In front below the dial is a small engraved brass plate with “Restored by James Arthor 1906”.
The case is made of solid wood, unsure of the type but it is heavy and beautiful. Two heavy weights on chains, clock is wound by pulling on the chains. A metal bar on the right side trips the strike function. A glass dome covers the movement (not pictured, a high quality modern replacement, perfect fit). Hour, minute and second hands.
The prior owner indicated that this clock was previously in a museum but could not provide any documentation. Here is what one NAWCC authority on lantern clocks told me… The clock is very early as the fretwork, finials and posts are original and date to 1649-1660. The dial plate, bell, hour and minute hands date to around 1880. The seconds hand is a vintage replacement. The case is 1900-1905 which exactly matches the brass plate. The TM 1743 is authentic but records an important date in the history of the clock (maybe when given as a wedding present or purchased). Thomas Lomas is likely the 1880’s restorer but he needed to research this more. The seconds hand is an unusual upgrade. He was most excited about the base as he has never seen one like this and it would have been very expensive at the time. His opinion is that the prior owners believed this to be an important clock deserving of the high restoration costs. And it being in a museum is likely true. Definitely deserves some more research.
More pictures below.