Lewis Walduck
Cataloguer
Lot 122
A late 17th century two handed lantern clock Peter Stretch, Leek
2 July 2025, 13:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £4,864 inc. premium
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A late 17th century two handed lantern clock
Peter Stretch, Leek
The strapped bell with turned finial on four robust urn supports between three foliate scroll frets, the foremost finely engraved, raised on tapered pillars and ball feet, the 6.75 inch Roman and Arabic chapter ring with fancy cruciform half hour markers, blued steel hour and minute hands, the centre engraved with a foliate design and signed Peter Stretch, Leek, now silvered. The two train weight driven movement with anchor escapement, the second wheel unusually with brass pinion leaves and outside countwheel strike with half-time hoop wheel striking on the bell via the vertically mounted hammer arbor. Together with a pendulum, two weights and an oak wall bracket. 43cms high (17ins).
The strapped bell with turned finial on four robust urn supports between three foliate scroll frets, the foremost finely engraved, raised on tapered pillars and ball feet, the 6.75 inch Roman and Arabic chapter ring with fancy cruciform half hour markers, blued steel hour and minute hands, the centre engraved with a foliate design and signed Peter Stretch, Leek, now silvered. The two train weight driven movement with anchor escapement, the second wheel unusually with brass pinion leaves and outside countwheel strike with half-time hoop wheel striking on the bell via the vertically mounted hammer arbor. Together with a pendulum, two weights and an oak wall bracket. 43cms high (17ins).
Footnotes
Peter Stretch (1670–1746), was based in Leek, Staffordshire from about 1693 to 1702. He emigrated to America and is among the earliest and most accomplished clockmakers in colonial America, as well as one of the first to produce scientific instruments in the colonies. After settling in Philadelphia in 1703, he established a workshop at what came to be known as "Stretch's Corner," producing fine long-case clocks that reflected the refined English styles of the period. Stretch became a prominent figure in both civic and commercial life, serving on Philadelphia's Common Council and engaging in real estate ventures. His clocks, often made with walnut or mahogany cases and featuring both timekeeping and musical functions, were widely sought after by elite clients. Today, his work is held in major collections, including Independence Hall and the Winterthur Museum.
The Stretch brothers of Leek are well known for their use of the balance wheel escapement, the current clock however has always been on an anchor.
Half Time Hoop Wheels
In clocks with count wheel striking the hoop on the third wheel usually has a single gap, this is designed to allow a single blow of the hammer for each revolution. A half time hoop wheel has two gaps thus allowing two blows of the hammer at each revolution. This action conserves energy.
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