Peter Closon Brass Lantern Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 17th century
This is a brass lantern clock catalogued to the late 17th century with an engraved dial centre signed 'Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit'. The front shows a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals, half-hour fleur-de-lis style markers, and an inner quarter-hour track indicated by a single steel hand.
The brass case features turned corner finials, matching ball feet, a pierced scrolled fretwork crest, and an overhead bell mounted under crossed straps. The auctioneer reports a verge escapement mechanism, an overall height of 33 cm, accompanied by a later carved walnut wall bracket, while lacking ropes and weights.
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
- Height
- 33 cm
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker Signature
- Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit
- Associated Bracket
- Later carved walnut wall bracket
- Hand Configuration
- Single steel hand
- Maker / attribution
- Peter Closon
Design
- Visible features
- • Pierced scrolled brass fret positioned directly beneath the domed bell and arched bell straps. • Engraved floral and foliate detailing covering the brass centre of the dial surrounding the signature. • Turned baluster-style corner finials and matching ball feet on the brass case frame.
- Case Construction
- The brass lantern frame stands on turned ball feet and is surmounted by baluster-style corner finials. Arched straps cross above the frame to secure an overhead domed bell. Directly beneath the bell assembly on the front elevation is a pierced, scrolled brass fret. The listing records an overall height of 33 cm.
- Dial and Inscription
- The clock front features an engraved brass dial centre inscribed 'Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit', set within an applied silvered chapter ring. Detailing on the dial plate includes dense floral and foliate engraving surrounding the signature. Time is indicated by a single steel hand traversing Roman hour numerals, intermediary half-hour markers, and an inner quarter-hour track. The late 17th-century dating reflects the auctioneer's cataloguing description rather than independent verification.
- Reported Movement and Completeness
- The movement is described by the cataloguer as having a verge escapement; internal components, gearing, and escapement details are not visible in the provided photograph. The listing explicitly notes that the clock is 'lacking ropes and weights and sold for restoration'. It was offered together with a 'later carved walnut wall bracket', catalogued as two items total.
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: Lacks weights and ropes as stated by the cataloguer.
- Research required: The accompanying carved walnut wall bracket mentioned in the listing is not shown in the primary photograph.
- Research required: Internal verge escapement mechanism is not visible in the provided photograph.