English lantern clock made by Michael Bird, London. Circa 1690.
A charming example of an English Chamber clock.
Stock No: 14406
The chain driven, posted framed, 30 hour duration movement with its original, internal rear-mounted Verge escapement and short attached pendulum. It has countwheel hourly striking on the top-mounted large
bell that is extremely loud. The chapter ring fits within cuttings to the frame top and bottom and has high Roman hour numerals, Fleur-de-lys half hour markings and an inner quarter track. The alarum setting disc has Arabic numerals and an open tulip centre design, the dialplate centre is also engraved with the tulip design and is well-executed. The frame is 5 5/8" square by 5 5/8" deep and the chapter ring diameter is 6 1/4". The single piece, long tailed hand is original but unusual, I assume that the tail is extra long to give the impression at first glance that is a two-handed clock.
'Chamber' clocks, so-called because they were usually situated in the owners bed chamber were the very first domestic timepieces and are still very affordable considering their age, limited numbers and Horological importance. There is a misconception that most old Lantern clocks are fake, this is untrue because the cost of faking one of these items would probably cost more than buying the real thing! What is true though is that most old Lantern clocks are not totally original. Because of their age and vulnerability, these clocks have quite often fallen off their wall fixings during their lifetime and finials, frets, bells, bell
straps and doors have become broken or damaged. Quite often, early owners paid for the escapements to be changed to the more accurate 'Anchor recoil' type with a long pendulum. Also, on very early examples, wheel trains have sometimes been changed so that they would run for 30 hours on a single winding instead of just 15 hours. Motion work was also sometimes added to allow a minute hand to be fitted instead of just an hour hand. It became popular in the 19th century to fit complete spring driven movements so that the clocks could be used on a table and only required winding once a week - this practise was carried out at considerable expense and was deemed along with the other alterations as 'improving' the clock. The originality of this clock however is good even though the alarum work has been removed. The rope sprockets have been changed for chain and the original doors have been replaced with iron ones. The top finial is also a replacement indicating that a fall has been suffered - further indicated by a bent iron spike on the backplate.
Michael Bird was probably born in 1658 and was apprenticed to his father of the same name in 1672. He became a Free Brother of the Clockmaker's Company 10 years later however, in 1685 he was threatened with prosecution by them for not binding his apprentice to them. In 1687 he got himself into trouble with them again and was fined £20! He continued to get into trouble with the Clockmaker's Company for not abiding by their apprenticeship rules and did not sign their Oath of Allegiance in 1697 so, he appears to have been anti-establishment. He died in 1723 in St. Bride's parish, London.
Dimensions: 15 1/4" high from top of finial to the feet.
Circa: 1690.
Condition: The condition is very good, I have adjusted it and it is working extremely well with
only a very light weight however, it would benefit from a non-cosmetic overhaul.
The missing alarum work could also be reinstated.
Provenance: Purchased privately and new to the market.
Price: Because I have not overhauled this item it is being offered in it's present but
working condition for half price - £5,250. Work can be carried out if required at
an additional cost which can be advised upon enquiry.
