Ahasuerus Fromanteel early pendulum longcase clock movement and dial in custom architectural case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1665 and later
Source documentation describes a rare early pendulum clock movement and dial by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London, dating to circa 1665 and later, presented in a custom 20th-century ebony-veneered architectural case.
The 8.5-inch gilt brass dial incorporates winged cherub spandrels, a solid silver chapter ring, and a date aperture above the signature 'A Fromanteel, Londini.' The two-train movement features shouldered plates, bolt-and-shutter maintaining power, a knife-edge verge escapement with a short bob pendulum, and an outside countwheel strike operating a hammer mounted on the backplate. The custom case is constructed with an ebony veneer on an oak carcass and features a triangular pediment.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- Ahasuerus Fromanteel, London
- Escapement
- Knife-edge verge escapement
- Dial signature
- A Fromanteel, Londini.
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Dial dimensions
- 8.5 inch square
- Case construction
- 20th-century ebony veneer on oak carcass
- Maker / attribution
- Ahasuerus Fromanteel
Design
- Case Composition
- The clock is housed in a 20th-century ebony-veneered case built on an oak carcass. The design is described as being based on 17th-century originals, featuring an architectural style with a triangular pediment, moulded cornice, and three-quarter Corinthian columns. The trunk door contains three applied panels within a moulded surround. The sides of the hood feature large glazed windows intended for observation of the internal movement.
- Visible features
- • Slender dark architectural case with a triangular pediment hood and central gilt mount. • Three-quarter Corinthian column supports flanking the square glazed dial opening. • Square brass dial with circular chapter ring and corner spandrels clearly visible through the hood glass.
- Dial Specifications
- The 8.5-inch square gilt brass dial features winged cherub's head spandrels. It contains a solid silver Roman and Arabic chapter ring with a narrow minute band and fleur-de-lys half-hour markers. The center of the dial is matted and features a chamfered date aperture located above the VI numeral. The signature 'A Fromanteel, Londini.' is inscribed directly beneath the date aperture.
- Movement Construction and Features
- The movement is identified as an early pendulum type attributed to Ahasuerus Fromanteel. It features typical tall, shouldered plates and incorporates a bolt-and-shutter maintaining power mechanism. The going train is equipped with a knife-edge verge escapement and a short bob pendulum. The striking train utilizes an outside countwheel. The striking hammer is mounted on a steel post fixed to the backplate via a brass bracket. According to provided documentation, this specific mounting arrangement on the backplate is considered to indicate a production date later than movements where the hammer is fitted to the frontplate.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The case is a 20th-century reconstruction made to house the 17th-century movement and dial.
- Research required: Internal movement plates, verge escapement, and strike work are obscured inside the case in this full-length view.