Brass lantern clock, French, mid 17th century

This wall clock has a square bottom and top plates in the form of pierced foliate strapwork featuring tulip flowers and leaves. It is surmounted by a large bell. The dial has a prominent chapter ring with large Roman numerals; a single hand to register the hours and another to register the minutes. The small dial in the middle of the main dial can be turned to set the alarm. The turned baluster finials are matched by finials either side of the top plate and surmounting the four brackets which hold the bell in place.

The clock was one of two clocks bequeathed by Estella Canziani; amongst thirteen objects including jewellery and silver. Canziani was an artist friend of Dr Hildburgh, a leading benefactor of the V&A.

Designed to hang on a hook or stand on a bracket high up on the wall, this clock struck the hours on the large bell mounted at the top of the clock which could be heard all over the house.

Wall-mounted weight-driven chamber clocks were relatively common in the Low Countries from the early 16th century. Designed to hang on a hook or stand on a bracket high up on the wall, the hourly striking on the large bell could be heard throughout the home. This example was made in Paris.

M.48-1995