Charles I brass lantern clock - 'William Sellwood at ye Mearemayde in Lothburi'

Charles I brass lantern clock - William Sellwood, Lothbury, (fl. 1633-1652), circa 1640, the 15.5cm / 6.1-inch Roman chapter ring with black wax-filled numerals, half hour divisions and inner quarter hour track, framing engraved five-petalled flowerhead, foliate scroll tendrils and a border of alternate flowerheads and bat's wing motifs, all within leafy frond spandrels, the zoomorphic foliate scroll, shield and acorn pierced front cresting over engraved inscription 'William Sellwood at ye Mearemayde in Lothburi', the standard London second period 'Lothbury' frame with column turned corner posts, the chain-driven movement now with anchor escapement, having a pair of five spoke main wheels, striking on a bell raised on cruciform bell bearer above turned cup finials, shield and scroll side crestings, pinned side doors, and raised on ball feet, 38cm high, sold with weight, pendulum, and later bracket

By repute - From the house contents sale of 38 Malone Park, Belfast, 23rd June 1961, held by Osborne, King & Megran - Lot 64 "A lantern clock in a brass case" (ex. inf. vendor)

William Selwood was born in Abingdon in Berkshire in 1607 and is recorded as a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company in 1633 until his death in 1653. He trained under Henry Stevens from 1624 to 1632, and worked at the Mermaid in Lothbury till his death in 1653. A clock by Selwood with related dial engraving to the current lot (albeit around an alarm disc) is illustrated in White, George, 'English Lantern Clocks', ACC 1989, p. 134 (fig. III / 14).

The old conversion from verge and crownwheel to anchor escapement, typically carried out to the majority of lantern clocks in the 18th century, includes in this example some period initials to the arm supporting the pendlulum cleat and crutch - initialled four times 'EC' in an 18th century hand.