An early George III period English brass lantern clock with alarm, signed on the dial by this Canterbury maker.

The clock is of classic lantern form, with turned brass finials and corner pillars secured by finned feet. It is surmounted by a tall bell held within a pierced brass bell strap, flanked by four tapering urn finials. The doors are finely fitted and the frame is constructed with latched turned columns while the original frets are delicately pierced in scrolling patterns. The back features traditional hook and spike for wall mounting.

The 5-inch brass dial is boldly engraved and displays excellent depth of tone and patination, with a chapter ring bearing large Roman hour numerals, an inner minute track, triangular half-hour markers and a finely matted centre with alarm setting disc. There are four winged brass cherub head spandrels to each corner of the chapter ring. The maker’s name Chalklen, Canterbury is inscribed within a circular cartouche on the raised arch, framed by further foliate spandrels. The finely pierced iron hand is of characteristic early form and appears to be original.

The short duration timepiece movement has vertical plates secured by turned baluster pillars, and chain-driven trains. The escapement is verge with a pear-shaped pendulum bob and the alarm hammer strikes against the large bell mounted above the plates.

Date: 1760

Height: 7 ¼ in (18.3 cm) excl. finial

Height: 8 ¼ in (21 cm) incl. finial

Width: 5 in (12.75 cm)

Depth: 4 ⅝ in (11.75 cm)

*Richard Chalklen is recorded as a clockmaker active in Canterbury during the mid-17th century, specialising in lantern clocks. His surviving clocks, often engraved with his signature, typically feature alarm work and well-executed foliate engraving, in line with the provincial Kentish school of the period. Though few examples survive, they demonstrate high craftsmanship and adherence to early lantern clock construction techniques.

See: Brian Loomes, Clockmakers of Britain 1286–1700 (Mayfield Books, 2014), p.114.

HW6551