Lantern Clock by George Thatcher
CRANBROOK, KENT
A fine, early-eighteenth century lantern clock by George Thatcher of Cranbrook.
The strapped bell over urn finials and three cast pierced frets, the front fret engraved with crossed dolphins and floral motif, supported on tapering Doric columns to ball feet.
The silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals, inner quarter hour track with half hour markers and carrying the maker's name and place of work, "G Thetcher Cranbrook", the dial plate with fine scrolling foliate engraving, single pierced steel hand.
The two train, weight-driven movement with countwheel strike and anchor escapement. The clock has some unusual features, among those being a side-fixed frontcock and a countwheel arm stop riveted to the original iron backplate. The hammer stop is of an unusual style and mimics the hammer spring. The long pendulum incorporates a hook-on bob.
There is no hoop and spikes indicating that the clock was originally made to sit on a bracket or in a hood/case, or it may well have been built into wall panelling.
The clock having 5 5/8" square frame, 6 1/4" diameter chapter ring of 1 3/8" width and engraved 6" high dial plate. Standing 14 3/4" high to top of bell finial.
George Thatcher is a recorded Kent clockmaker from 1716 until his death in 1773.