Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
William Holloway of Stroud, Gloucestershire, was a superb clockmaker of lantern clocks. Most of his clocks are dated, with a range from 1666 to 1692. He died in 1694.
This lantern clock, made by William Holloway, is dated 1679 and remains in a very high state of originality. The original escapement with short pendulum just inside the backplate is intact, an unusual condition as most lantern clocks were converted to long pendulum in the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century taking advantage of the more accurate, newer technology. Most lantern clocks have lost their original side doors and alarm. This one has not. The doors have cutouts allowing for the swing of the short pendulum. The pendulum swings inside of the backplate so as not to interfere with the alarm mechanism that is mounted on the outside of the backplate. Not only is the movement original, but it is beautifully detailed and finished.
In 1656, Christian Huygens theorized the application of a short pendulum to a clock as a means of improving accuracy of the clock over the horizontal balance in general use prior to this. In 1680, the long pendulum was theorized by Robert Hooke and applied to a longcase clock by the clockmaker, William Clement, both of whom claim credit for the invention.
This William Holloway lantern clock as previously stated retains its original short pendulum escapement; this is an early example of the short pendulum escapement, applied shortly after it was first invented.
During the 1680’s and 90’s and throughout the centuries to follow, balance clocks and short pendulum clocks were converted to long pendulum. Whereas clock owners in the seventeenth century were wealthy (money was no object), and the new pendulum was not only more accurate but also “the thing to have”, the conversions were done, usually with removal of the alarm mechanism, which was on the back of the balance clocks, now interfering with the crutch of the long pendulum conversion. Because of these conversions there are only a few original balance clocks extant. Likewise, short pendulum clocks made in the 1660’s to 1680’s were mostly converted to long pendulum.
This clock is unusual in its originality, quality of design, and very fine construction.
Item Date: 1679
Measurement: Height: 16.5"; Width: 6"; Depth: 6"
Material: Brass and steel of typical lantern clock construction.
Item Condition: Excellent original condition
Price: $17,000
SKU 843-502
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
Please click on images to expand.
