17th C London Lantern Clocks & Restorations
A Resource for the Enthusiast…
Forty years of collecting and comprehensive restoration
of early clocks
NAWCC Member 71355
07595 180138 or email earlyclocks@gmail.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
A Resource for the Enthusiast…
Forty years of collecting and comprehensive restoration
of early clocks
NAWCC Member 71355
07595 180138 or email earlyclocks@gmail.com
I’m a long time specialist enthusiast collector looking to promote and foster the interest, and to assist with lantern clock restoration by others. As a retired hobbyist I‘ve typically offered some examples in my collection so as I can chase new acquisitions. However due to prevailing circumstances I’m no longer actively collecting but considering offers on a few complete clocks including:
-Jeffery Bayley Lothbury verge pend. Integral finial-column-foot frame.
-mini Thos. Knifton verge, time alarm
-Wm Raynes London E.Smithfield Lantern Clock. Balance reinstated.
ex Loomes collection
-Richard Beck London Lothbury Lantern Clock. Early anchor conversion.
-A fine, rare oversized Lothbury lantern c1655 by Thos. Knifton acquired from a well known collection (engraved behind the dial the details of verge pendulum update 1689 by Rich Roe)
The RQuelch project page showing completed clock restoration / balance reinstatement videos featuring two NAWCC Bulletin articles commencing MAY-JUNE 2023 may be of interest to collector restorers.
Updated DEC 2025.
My lantern collection needs to be reduced near term. I’m open to reasonable offers on those remaining clocks and a few unrestored projects individually or as a group.
Please email me what you might be looking for along with your contact number and I’d be pleased to chat











Lantern clock balance and verge pendulum escapements reinstated from anchor.
Click on image for video #2

Period replacement parts sourced
And some examples of missing parts made


A major restoration project froma barn-find partial, to balance refit and complete restoration.
An interesting and a rare clock, originally a smaller 4 inch dial frame with balance and alarm only. The clock dates from about 1670. About 1700 the alarm was removed and replaced with a full striking capability. ~150 years later the escapement was changed / updated to long pendulum anchor for improved timekeeping.
Before and after - images and YouTube video link





Click on image for video
Completed comprehensive restoration with replacement verge (JAN 2022)
Probably Henton Brown ~1760.







BESPOKE REPLACEMENT LANTERN CLOCK BELLS
Successors to White Chapel Bell Foundrey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitechapel_Bell_Foundry
These folks originally supplied most of the Lothbury clockmakers 350+ years ago (also Big Ben, and the famous Liberty Bell in the US). After closing its doors in 2017 (having been in business since1570), the long time shop foreman reopened in Bromley.
My study attributing a full sized London lantern clock (as surfaced - DEC 2009) as a product from the workshops of Peter Closon – ‘Neer Holburn Bridge’ London’, a prolific maker of these clocks from 1625-1660 in the Lothbury clockmakers’ district in London. The clock was sold on to a collector unrestored.
Click image to download
Earlyclocks.uk - Rope Splicing Procedure JUN22 (pdf)
Download
Now retired commercially, I have a modest but dynamic collection and a plenty of projects.
I look forward to assisting those interested however I can.
I've been involved with antique clock collecting and restoration since a teenager in the 1970s, spending summers working with an uncle in Clerkenwell London learning horological skills. My
Now retired commercially, I have a modest but dynamic collection and a plenty of projects.
I look forward to assisting those interested however I can.
I've been involved with antique clock collecting and restoration since a teenager in the 1970s, spending summers working with an uncle in Clerkenwell London learning horological skills. My father was a trained English cabinetmaker from whom I learned case work. During my undergraduate years and throughout my commercial scientific career, I remained active in the hobby. During my professional life I'd been lucky to have been involved with art history conservation projects with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale Museum of British Art, and other important museums. A member of the National Association of Clock Collectors for over 30 years, I've taken part in numerous technical, historical, a conservation seminars.
I split my time between the US and UK.
...by phone or email earlyclocks@gmail.com
Always looking for good conversation with fellow collectors.
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