French Louis XV iron-framed rack-striking lantern clock with trip-hour repeat
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1730
This unsigned French Louis XV lantern clock dates to circa 1730 and features an iron-framed posted bell-striking movement with separately wound brass wheel trains.
The going train is equipped with a verge escapement set above the top plate, regulated by a rear-mounted disc bob pendulum on a knife-edge suspension. The striking train employs a gravity rack located within the rear movement bar, indexed by an iron hour wheel snail, and includes a sleeved rack hook tail facilitating cord-pull trip-repeat striking. An engraved brass dial features a radiating starburst center within a Roman numeral chapter ring, framed by pierced foliate scroll frets, turned finials, and an iron-strapped domed bell bearer.
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
- Lantern clock
- Depth
- 17 cm (6.75 inches) including spurs
- Width
- 17 cm (6.75 inches)
- Height
- 35.5 cm (14 inches)
- Escapement
- Verge escapement set above the top plate
- Provenance
- The Dr. John A. Robey collection
- Place recorded
- France
- Striking Mechanism
- Rack striking with trip-repeat
Design
- Dial and Frame
- The one-piece brass dial is engraved with a radiating starburst center—combining wavy and straight lines—within a Roman numeral chapter ring featuring arrow half-hour markers. The dial is held by a scroll-pierced hand with a square locking washer. The iron-framed structure includes forged column corner posts, foliate scroll pierced frets, and turned vase finials, topped by a domed bell bearer with a brass finial. The unit is noted to lack side doors, a backplate, and weights.
- Visible features
- • Single pierced steel hand set against an engraved brass chapter ring with Roman numerals and arrow half-hour markers • Dial center engraved with an alternating wavy and straight-line starburst motif • Domed bell mounted under arched iron strapwork and surmounted by a turned brass finial • Openwork posted iron frame resting on turned brass feet, lacking side panels
- Striking Mechanism
- The striking train uses a gravity rack located within the rear movement bar, indexed by a snail on the iron hour wheel. The hammer, positioned on the left-hand side, features a sprung bifurcation on the stem to act as a stop against the top plate aperture. The rack hook is pivoted via a sleeve around the release detent arbor, which enables cord-pull trip-repeat striking.
- Movement and Escapement
- The clock features an unsigned, iron-framed, bell-striking movement with separately wound brass wheel trains set between forged-iron strip pivot bars. It is equipped with a verge escapement positioned above the top plate, regulated by a fixed-rod disc bob pendulum with knife-edge suspension. Observations indicate the knife-edge suspension is located inside the frame, allowing the pendulum assembly to be removed by withdrawing a single pin. The strike train includes an iron second wheel, suggesting it may have been re-used from an earlier clock.
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: Source notes the clock lacks side doors, backplate, and weights.
- Research required: Maker is unsigned.