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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Lantern clock

Peter Closon Brass Lantern Clock

Partially verified

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.

Front view of the brass lantern clock showing the dial, single steel hand, pierced fret, and bell assembly
Front view of the brass lantern clock showing the dial, single steel hand, pierced fret, and bell assembly — Lacy Scott & Knight. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Clock · Lantern clock
Maker / attribution
Peter Closon
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1363
Source-reported date
late 17th century
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “engraved dial signed Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit”
  • “Engraved floral and foliate detailing covering the brass centre of the dial surrounding the signature.”
  • “silver chapter ring, single steel hand”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “Turned baluster-style corner finials and matching ball feet on the brass case frame.”
  • “Pierced scrolled brass fret positioned directly beneath the domed bell and arched bell straps.”
  • “domed bell-top”
  • “h.33cm”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “verge escapement”
  • “lacking ropes and weights and sold for restoration”
  • “on later carved walnut wall bracket (2)”

Open research questions

  • Is the reported verge escapement original, or does the movement show evidence of an anchor recoil or other conversion?
  • Are the movement plates, pillars, and pierced frets consistent with 17th-century London work associated with Peter Closon, or are components later replacements?
  • What style, dimensions, and carving pattern characterize the unillustrated walnut wall bracket?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Peter Closon Brass Lantern Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignaturePeter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit“engraved dial signed Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge fecit”
EscapementVerge escapement“verge escapement”
Height33 cm“h.33cm”
Hand ConfigurationSingle steel hand“single steel hand”
Associated BracketLater carved walnut wall bracket“on later carved walnut wall bracket”
Sale Condition NoteSold for restoration; lacking ropes and weights“lacking ropes and weights and sold for restoration”
Lot CompositionTwo pieces (clock and wall bracket)“on later carved walnut wall bracket (2)”

Visible details

  • 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.

Research qualifications

  • Lacks weights and ropes as stated by the cataloguer.
  • The accompanying carved walnut wall bracket mentioned in the listing is not shown in the primary photograph.
  • Internal verge escapement mechanism is not visible in the provided photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A late 17th century brass lantern clock, the engraved dial signed Peter Closon at Holborn Bridge

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e2e4d69404

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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