TIME TO BE AMAZED!
CENTURIES-OLD CLOCK FOUND IN DERBYSHIRE
ONE of the oldest and rarest clocks ever uncovered by Hansons has been found in a Derbyshire loft – and such is its importance it’s worthy of a museum. The centuries-old John Frearson of Derby verge lantern clock was discovered near Wirksworth by Hansons’ clocks valuer Mike Wetton. And when he grasped its historical significance, he could hardly believe his eyes.
Lantern clocks are thought to be the earliest type of domestic clocks in England. They are weight-driven wall clocks in brass cases with a single bell. The one Mike has uncovered is believed to date back to 1690-1700 – making it around 330 years old.
That in itself is quite astonishing. It’s a bold survivor, a reminder of times past and the impressive advances in engineering in the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s also a fine and quite stunningly beautiful antique in itself. It is an object that perfectly illustrates Derbyshire’s clockmaking heritage.
According to Mike, it is quite simply an extremely important find for Derby and Derbyshire. Only one other lantern clock is known to have been made in the county. That was by William Blore of Derby, dated about 1730. No others have come to light until now – and, of course, this is an even earlier example.
Mike made the find when he was called to a cottage near Wirksworth to value some items. The owner, Neil Gilbert, showed him a collection of clocks including this one. As soon as he saw it, Mike became excited and curious. Could this really be what it looked like? He carried out more research and consulted Derby historian Maxwell Craven’s excellent book on Derbyshire clockmaking. It soon became apparent this find was extra special.
We know John Frearson – or Freirson – was born in 1663. He was apprenticed in London in 1680 and, by 1689, had entered the ranks of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, a corporate body for all clockmakers which received its royal charter in 1631. He later moved to Derby where his father, William, had been recorded as a clockmaker from 1630-1682.
Frearson’s lantern clock with its brass circular dial engraved with flowers is both elegant and intricate. Its facade is enhanced by a brass pediment engraved with dolphins and waterlilies. Though worthy of a museum, it could go anywhere when it goes under the hammer on June 30. And what a prize for any collector keen to own this historical timepiece. The vendor bought it around 17 years ago – and kept it in his loft! When he purchased it, the seller told him it had come from a house near Aston-on-Trent. It was sold to him by the son of the property owner who had died.
It’s rather nice to know this historical gem, produced in Derby by an important maker all those years ago, has stayed close to its roots for three centuries. Extraordinary finds like this make my day. I am excited to see what price it achieves at auction.
The seller Neil Gilbert, 48, who runs an electrical services business, started collecting clocks about 20 years ago after his grandfather gave him his retirement clock. Neil actually added to is collection through his job as an electrician. When visiting high-end homes, people would sometimes mention that they did not want a particular clock. Neil happily gave unwanted timepieces a home.
He has owned several clocks over the years but always chose quality over quantity. For him they are wellmade investment pieces. He realised the Frearson clock was a good example but was still a tad taken aback by Mike’s enthusiasm.
Frearson’s clock underlines the fact that he was an extremely clever man. He would have trained around the same time as Thomas Tompion (1639-1713), regarded as the father of English clockmaking. Hansons sold a Tompion clock for £200,000.
The John Frearson of Derby verge lantern clock will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ June 30 Fine Art Auction with an estimate of £6,000£7,000. It is original and untouched with an old conical lead weight counter weight and brass pulley wheel. The movement has not been tested and it will require some restoration but any passionate clock collector would relish that challenge.
Mike Wetton will be offering free valuations of clocks and barometers at Hansons in Heage Lane, Etwall, on Friday, July 1, 10am-1pm. Also on July 1, 10am-1pm, Etwall Auction Centre will host valuations of musical instruments, fishing ephemera, rural bygones and tools. Plus, on July 5, 10am-1pm, stamps and postal history can be assessed by Dr Gwynne Harries FRPSL,10am-1pm. To book a valuation appointment for these, or any other type of antique, jewellery or collectible, email service@ hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.
LOFT ‘WORTHY OF MUSEUM’