Dreweatts 1759
Lot 1219
A FINE CHARLES I BRASS 'FIRST PERIOD' LANTERN CLOCKPETER CLOSON, LONDON, CIRCA 1640The trains with separate winding via rope lines running within pulleys incorporating steel walls to the click-spring side, the going train with reinstated verge escapement regulated by oscillating balance positioned above the top plate, the strike train sounding the hours on a bell mounted above the frame via a countwheel with overlift provided by a hoop wheel cut with a single slot, the dial with central vestigial star-burst engraved alarm setting disc within a ring of seven boldly engraved repeating flowerheads and stylised foliate scrollwork, within applied 6.125 inch narrow silvered Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating slender cruciform half hour markers, with fine substantial sculpted steel hand and foliate engraved infill to the quadrants, the frame with turned Doric column corner posts beneath distinctive shouldered vase 'cup and cover' finials with cavetto waists, the front and sides applied with symmetrical scroll pierced cast brass armorial frets with the front incorporating foliate engraved detail including grotesque dolphin masks and engraved signature Peter Clofon Neare Holborn Bridg Fecit, beneath domed bell bearer capped with a conforming vase finial, with brass side doors and the rear with later iron backplate fitted with spurs beneath an iron hanging hoop applied to the top plate, on turned tapered 'acorn' feet, (alarm mechanism no longer present).40cm (15.75ins) high, 16cm (6.25ins) wide, 18.5cm (7.125ins) deep including spurs.Supplemental addition to the above description text (19/08/2024) - The rear of the front, fret together with the centre of one of the greatwheels, bear casting marks conforming to recorded 'P.C. within a shield' marks which are believed to be that for Peter Closon's foundry. Peter Closon is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Southwark, London in around 1595 and apprenticed on 22nd November 1608 to Henry Stevens (through the Clothworkers' Company). His brothers (William and Simon) were both gun makers as was his father, Godfrey, before him. He gained his freedom in 1616 and married Margaret Buckner in 1629. Closon was one of the subscribers for the formation of the Clockmakers' Company paying the substantial sum of £5 in 1630. He worked near Holborn Bridge and took-on many apprentices, first through the Clothworkers' Company and then the newly founded Clockmakers' Company after 1631. Amongst his apprentices were the following who went-on to become notable makers in their own right - John Selwood (1630-38); John Wise (through Thomas Dawson 1638-460; Richard Ames (through Richard Masterson 1648/9-1656/7), and William Speakman (through Nicholas Tomlins 1654-61). Closon was made an Assistant in the Clockmakers' Company in 1633 and then Warden 1637/8, there are no records of his attendance after this date. He died in around 1660/1 and is thought to have been succeeded by Richard Ames. The present clock can be closely compared to another example by Closon illustrated in White, George English Lantern Clocks on page 117 (Figure II/151). The dial engraving is clearly by the same hand incorporating matching flowerheads and leafy scrollwork albeit with the design incorporating two alternating differing types of flowerhead rather than the same four-petal bloom on the current lot. The frame utilises standard London 'first period' castings with cup-and-cover finials and acorn feet as described by White pages 83-84, where it is noted that they were in use 1620-40. Indeed, the current clock is best described as a 'textbook' example of Closon's work and, through comparisen with other examples by him, helps to demonstrate the high degree of consistency achieved by him during the late 1630s to 40s.The current lot has generally survived in fine original condition. At some point the verge with balance wheel regulation was replaced by anchor escapement with long pendulum swinging behind the frame to the rear. This necessitated removal of the alarm mechanism mounted on the backplate to make room for the pendulum. The clock has subsequently re-converted back to its original balance-wheel layout executed by the late Jeff Darken; the anchor pallets, cocks etc. removed at that time have been retained and are included in the lot. Condition Report: Both the going and strike trains appear to be very original apparently retaining all wheelwork, pinions and arbors except for the fly pinion, escape wheel (although mounted on the original arbor) and the balance. The pulleys appear original but have at some point been pinned for chain drive and then reverted back to rope leaving a series of filed-back steel pins at the base of the valley of each pulley. The steel winding clicks are present and operational. The pinions to both trains show evidence of advanced wear which has been left untouched - the pivots have been re-bushed incorporating packing and other adjustments to ensure that the wheels partially engage with unworn faces of the pinions. This allows the clock to restored to working condition whilst retaining original wheels and pinions. The teeth of the wheels show slight wear but are still within tolerance to allow the clock to run (the steel pinions always wear at a much higher rate than the wheels). The steelwork has been carefully cleaned of corrosion but show some slight historic age-related pitting. The top plate has a pair of filled holes (most likely for the pendulum backcock) otherwise appears as originally made (with balance wheel banking pin holes) except for enlarged slot adjacent to the escapement top allow for the previous anchor pallets. The dial has overall moderate oxidation. The tail of the hand has a split in the forging which is not structural and can only be seen when looking at the hand side-on. The alarm disc is of correct pattern and appears to have age but could possibly be a very well executed replacement. The frets appear original and the frame is in very good original condition although the right hand front finial may have been broken and repaired at the stem (very difficult to tell!). The bell and support are in very good original condition. The hanging hoop, backplate and spurs are replacements (would have been originally fitted with an alarm with the original removed during conversion to anchor escapement and long pendulum). The side doors have age but are most likely not original. Clock generally shows light to moderate oxidation to the brass, the steelwork is generally free form rust/visible corrosion.Clock is complete with lines and weights. Condition Report Disclaimer
