Early Clocks | Lee Borrett
James & Thomas
Browne of Bristol
Following recent archival research by Professor Jonathan Barry, these two remarkable lantern clocks may represent successive generations of the Browne family workshop. The early Civil War clock, c.1642, is now thought most likely to have originated in the workshop of James Browne, while beside it stands the only known signed lantern clock by his son, Thomas Browne, c.1650. Together they may preserve an exceptionally early glimpse of the Bristol tradition later identified by Sir George White as the ‘Bristol school of lantern clockmaking’.
W
elcome to Early Clocks, a website
dedicated to the study, collecting
and appreciation of early English lantern clocks, early domestic
clocks and sundials.
At the heart of this website is my collection of rare and historically important early clocks and sundials, principally dating from the seventeenth century, complemented by a small number of significant earlier and later clocks kindly shared by other collectors. Many examples are illustrated alongside contemporary paintings and historical material to place them within the world in which they were originally made and used.
As a collector, researcher and author, I continue to acquire significant original pieces, particularly early English lantern clocks, sundials and clocks with historically important or religiously inscribed dials. My research has been published in the Journal of the Antiquarian Horological Society (AHS) and Clocks magazine. Of particular interest is the early Bristol School of lantern clockmaking and the work of the Browne family of Bristol. Where new documentary evidence comes to light, the articles on this website are updated to reflect the latest historical research.
If you own a lantern clock, sundial or early clock you believe may be of historical interest, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please feel free to Contact Me
This website is an ongoing project and new clocks, sundials, historical articles and research are being added regularly. Please visit again to discover the latest additions to the collection.
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