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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Lantern clock

Thomas Power of Wellingborough Lantern Clock

Partially verified

This lot presents a brass lantern clock catalogued by the source as 17th century and later, attributed to Thomas Power of Wellingborough. The movement is housed in a domed cage featuring pierced panels, removable side plates, and a hoop and spur back, standing 40 cm high. Its dial includes a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals, fleur-de-lys half-hour markers, and a single iron hand. The foliate-engraved brass dial centre bears the inscription 'Tho Power Wellingborow'. The clock is surmounted by an overhead bell held by crossed straps below a turned finial.

Front view of the Thomas Power of Wellingborough brass lantern clock
Front view of the Thomas Power of Wellingborough brass lantern clock — Fellows. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.fellows.co.uk
Category
Clock · Lantern clock
Maker / attribution
Thomas Power
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
3
Source-reported date
17th century and later
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

Case and External Construction

The clock is a brass lantern-style timepiece measuring 40 cm in height. The movement is contained within a domed cage featuring pierced panels and removable side plates. The structure is configured with a hoop and spur back.

The current exterior displays documented maintenance. It is surmounted by a bell and strap noted as replacements. The frets are identified as replacements secured with new screws. The base features holes described as later additions, suggesting it may have been formerly mounted on a bracket. The unit also includes an old wooden pulley back.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement within a domed cage with pierced panels and removeable side plates”
  • “hoop and spur back”
  • “height 40cm”
  • “Replacement bell and bell strap”
  • “The frets are replacements and held in place with new screws”
  • “Holes to the base that are later additions suggest likely previously held on a bracket”
  • “Old wooden pulley back”

Dial and Timekeeping Components

The dial features a silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and a single iron hand. The dial centre displays a foliate-engraved finish and is marked with the signature 'Tho Power Wellingborow'.

The auction source states the item has come from a restorer, advising that elements of the case or movement may have undergone undisclosed restoration.

Evidence for this section
  • “the silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and a single iron hand”
  • “the foliate engraved centre marked Tho Power Wellingborow”
  • “This clock has come from a restorer and so it should be considered that they may have elements of restoration to either the case or movement”

Condition and Attribution

The clock is attributed to Thomas Power of Wellingborough and dated to the 17th century and later by the source. Internal mechanisms remain uninspected; therefore, the auctioneer does not confirm the clock's completeness, state of damage, or functional operability.

Hardware integrity is noted as mixed, with the source identifying three original screws and the remainder as replacements.

Evidence for this section
  • “A 17th century and later brass lantern clock by Thomas Power of Wellingborough”
  • “Please note that the internal mechanisms and parts contained within this item are not inspected and therefore not known if complete, damaged or inoperable”
  • “Three original screws, remaining are replacements”

Open research questions

  • Are there records of a clockmaker named Thomas Power active in Wellingborough during the 17th century?
  • Do the specific pierced panel designs match known patterns from the Wellingborough area or contemporaneous lantern clock production?
  • What is the intended function of the 'old wooden pulley back' in the context of a lantern clock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thomas Power of Wellingborough Lantern Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionThomas Power of Wellingborough“A 17th century and later brass lantern clock by Thomas Power of Wellingborough”
Dial inscriptionTho Power Wellingborow“the foliate engraved centre marked Tho Power Wellingborow”
DimensionsHeight 40 cm“height 40cm”
Dial and hand detailsSilvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and single iron hand“the silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and a single iron hand”
Case constructionDomed cage with pierced panels, removable side plates, hoop and spur back“the movement within a domed cage with pierced panels and removeable side plates, the silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and a single iron hand, the foliate engraved centre marked Tho Power Wellingborow, hoop and spur back”
Height40 cm“height 40cm”

Visible details

  • Surmounted by a grey metal bell beneath crossed straps topped with a turned finial
  • Pierced cresting fret above the dial displaying stylized dolphin or foliate motifs
  • Silvered chapter ring with black Roman hour numerals and half-hour markers
  • Gilt or brass foliate-engraved dial centre bearing the engraved signature 'Tho Power Wellingborow'
  • Single pierced iron hand mounted at the centre arbor
  • Turned brass corner columns resting on ball-and-spire feet

Research qualifications

  • Source condition report notes later restorations including a replacement bell, replacement bell strap, and replacement frets held with new screws.
  • Internal mechanisms were uninspected by the auctioneer and completeness or operability is not known.
  • The maker attribution and period date are source-reported and not independently verifiable.

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

Consulted source

Lot 3 | Thomas Power of Wellingborough lantern clock

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record a90c8c8bcd

Terms in this record

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

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