Brass “Winged” Lantern Clock with Alarm by Richard Ames, London, probably 20th century, applied Roman numeral chapter ring with quarter and half-hour markings, central alarm disk with Arabic numerals, dial plate engraved with tulips and signed Rich. Ames near St Andrews Church in Holborn fecit, single steel hand, applied pierced frets, turned finials and bell mounted above, thirty-hour posted frame movement with time train at the front, strike train with count wheel behind and alarm train at the back, crown wheel and verge escapement with pendulum between the trains, hook and spike for wall mounting all powered by three weights, ht. 15 1/2 in.
Literature: Loomes, Brian, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, pg. 53 lists Richard Ames as an apprentice of Peter Closen 1648/49-1655, died circa 1682, widow Katherine continued the business.
Condition report
Condition: Weights and counter weights are replacements, bell has been brazed with limited success, surface rust on steel components, side doors are sensitive replacements although without wings, lacking pendulum bob, movement needs cleaning, other probable restoration.
Note: the crown wheel and warning wheel appear to be more recent arbors and pinions; wheels are mounted on arbors without collets and most pinions have very little wear which would be inconsistent with an early date, clock very likely 20th century.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
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