Beschreibung:

The remains of a fine large musical lantern clock movement Unsigned but possibly attributed to James Delaunce, Frome, late 17th century The posted two-handed movement with four-wheel going train regulated by anchor escapement for a long pendulum swinging outside of the frame of the clock to the rear, the centre formerly with musical train released prior to the hour-striking train to sound a melody on two nests of four bells each set above the top plate, the rear with hour strike train incorporating large iron countwheel mounted behind, the posted frame with one-piece pillar and finial castings featuring elongated 'spires' supporting the domed bell bearer above decorated with radial cast and pierced infill between the limbs, (unrestored, lacking all musical work except warning/locking detents, strike train fly, dial, frets, side doors, feet, pendulum and weights) 42cm (16.5ins) high. The current lot was originally made with an musical train sounding on eight bells which was activated prior to the hour strike train. Rather than using a starwheel set behind the dial for strike/musical train lifting the current movement utilised two pins fitted to a disc applied to the rear of the going train greatwheel. This disc is directly connected to the underdial motionwork but engages with the greatwheel via a friction joint alone. This system allows the hands to be set without having to release the escapement and 'run through' the going train and was often employed by Italian makers where star wheels could not be used (due to the Italian preference for each hour to be sounded twice in quick succession). The design of the one-piece frame corner post and finial castings can be compared to a standard-sized lantern clock by James Delance of Frome illustrated in Loomes, Brian LANTERN CLOCKS & Their Makers on page 187 (fig. 11.2). The method of retaining both the strike/musical train lifting detent arbors and the individually pivoted musical hammer bell arbors between their respective movement bars is highly unusual. Each pivot hole is formed as a slot cut in from the side of the bar allowing the arbor pivot to be inserted without having to release the bar. The pivot is then prevented from falling out of its slot by a retaining pin which driven in from above through vertical holes in the movement bar adjacent to each pivot. Although highly unusual this system for retaining a single detent arbor pivot can also be seen on a posted musical longcase movement signed James Delance Froom Fecit illustrated in Darken, Jeff and Hooper, John English 30 Hour Clocks on page 87 (fig. 2/59). James Delaunce is recorded in Loomes, Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 as born in Dowton, Somerset in 1655. He is believed to have been apprenticed to Laurence Debnam of Frome in around 1669 (which he would have completed in around 1676) before moving to London where he was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company as a Free Brother in 1677/8. By 1686 James Delaunce had moved back to Frome - probably to succeed his former Master, Laurence Debnam, who died in 1683. From 1687 until 1703 he was employed by Lord Weymouth to work on clocks at Longleat and by 1721 was back in the Downton where he is recorded as still being alive in 1736. Condition report disclaimer