Lantern Clock - Origin of The Name

Origin of The Name

There are two theories of the origin of the name 'lantern clock'. One is that the name derived from the shape; the clock resembles a rectangular lantern of that period, and like a lantern was hung on the wall. The other is that it refers to brass, the main metal of which lantern clocks are made. Copper alloys, of which brass is one, were often called latten in earlier times and 'lantern' could be a corruption of this old word. In inventories of deceased clock makers, lantern clocks are usually referred to as 'house clocks', 'chamber clocks' or simply 'clocks', since in 17th century England they were almost the only type of domestic clocks that existed. It was only after a century had passed, when other types of domestic clocks began to be used in British houses, that more descriptive names for it appeared. Other names used for these clocks are bedpost, birdcage or Cromwellian clocks. 'Sheep's head clock' was a nickname term for a type of lantern clock that had an extremely large chapter ring covering almost the entire front.