M C Taylor Clocks

Description

An attractive example of a very early Lantern clock.

The originally of short duration, rope driven, seperately wound trains movement with Verge escapement and rare, front-mounted, short 'cow tail' pendulum. Countwheel striking the hours on the top-mounted bell that is square pegged and underslung from the crossed carrier that is sprung within the finials. The front and rear mounted wheel trains are pivoted within the usual 3, upright, flat pillars that are located and wedge-fitted between the square top and bottom plates. The movement also has alarum work that is fitted to the outside of the iron backplate and the pallet arbor front rolls on a 'knife edge' and has a decorative pendulum rod top.

The 4 tapered corner pillars terminate in early and large urn finials and shaped feet and the pin-hinged side doors have early crown style knobs.

The dial plate is profusely and beautifully engraved with a tulip design as are the corners. The centre carries the 4 tabbed alarum setting disc that has Roman hour numerals and a central open tulip flower. The cut iron hand is tailed to set and position the alarum set-off. The 3 top frets are of armoral design (English civil war period) and the front fret is nicely engraved with the shield bearing the date "1649" (the exact year that King Charles I was executed). The 6 3/8" diameter chapter ring has 2 outer circles, broad and short Roman hour numerals around a divided quarter track also, an inner circle that is dotted at the hours and 'wheat stalk' half hour marks. The decorative yet substantial bell strap has a large, central urn finial.

This is an extremely rare clock that is over 400 years old and it warrants the label "Historically important". 'Cow tail pendulums' are almost never seen on English clocks. The maintenance and updating of this clock are reflected in its very attractive price.