Lantern clocks represent one of the oldest original styles of wall clock ever created. Pre-dating even the pendulum, the traditional lantern clocks were weight driven mechanisms, though later models used the pendulum (which kept much better time) and modern reproductions frequently use battery powered electrical systems. This style of clock was most popular in Britain between about 1600 and 1800, and have since become symbolic of old, antique style.
These clocks got their name because they are shaped like a square seventeenth or eighteenth century lantern. That is, their mechanics are contained inside an upright, rectangular cuboid designed to look like a hand held candle lantern. The original lantern clocks were fitted with a iron back plate which contained a loop at the top and two spurs at the bottom that allowed the clock to be fitted to a wooden wall. However, as time went on and the clocks became more complex, it became more common to have a separate wooden shelf that could be directly mounted to the wall, and the lantern clock would be placed on it. In many later reproductions, this shelf is an integral part of the clock itself, though the appearance is of the metal clock sitting on a wooden shelf on the wall.
Generally speaking, lantern clocks are always made of metal. Originally they were made of iron, but most modern reproductions are made of either brass or steel. Similarly, they were encased with a metal back plate and metal doors on the sides that could be opened to access the clock’s mechanics. The traditional lantern clock also has frets fitted above the front plate to hide the gap between the clock and bell where the hammer hits. Although the design began fairly simply, later lantern clocks exhibited a lot of detailed metal work and fancy engraving which lent the clock a sense of decorative style. Most modern reproductions also include this fancy metalwork.
A buyer will notice that many reproductions of traditional antique lantern clocks only have one hand instead of two and this is keeping with the original style. Traditional lantern clocks only have one hand, though the face of the clock marks the hour, half hour, and quarter hour allowing for fairly precise time keeping. It is not uncommon to find reproductions with two hands, but this is a dead give away to a clock expert that the lantern clock is a reproduction and not an authentic antique.
Although there are exceptions, in general most authentic lantern clocks only strike the number of the hour. The hammer hits a bell inside the clock that strikes the number of the hour, so at eight o’clock the hammer will hit the bell eight times. There were a few antique exceptions, with a few lantern clocks that strike every quarter of an hour or included a music box to play a tune. Most modern reproductions that strive for authenticity only strike the number of the hour, though there are many less historically accurate variations, including the option to turn off the striking altogether.
Having an authentic looking replica of an antique lantern clock will give any room a feel of age and style and many replicas are reasonably prices as well. Further, if historical accuracy is not a big priority, you can easily find many modern clocks – with modern features – that are encased in shells that are obviously inspired by traditional lantern clocks. Further, since these clocks have not been popular for about two hundred years, having a lantern clock will give your room a very unique feel.
Related Posts:
Tags: antique style, Britain, candle lantern, clock, cuboid, driven mechanisms, Lantern, metal, style, wall, Wall Clock
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.