Lantern Clock on Wooden Wall Bracket

Generic Description:

Appearance: Lantern Wadokei on wooden wall bracket.

Period: Early to Late.

Escapement: Single and double foliot, plus later with balance wheel.

Power Source:   Lead or brass weight.

Construction: Hashira-dokei were made from approximately 1612 all the way to 1873. Some of these clocks, which were made earlier than this (around 1580-1612) had early European 24 hour standard time dials. This was common in Spain and Italy and these clocks, although made by Japanese clockmakers, would have been used by the Jesuit priests who tried in vain to make the Japanese accept the standard time system. Some Hashira-dokei were exported back to Europe but would be very rare and almost impossible to find today. 

The Wadokei of Hashira-dokei have four round peg feet (similar to Yagura-dokei and Dai-dokei) for locating in the top mounting plate, whereas a Wadokei originally intended as a Kake-dokei with hanging hoop to rear, has no feet.

Hasira-dokei, right, from my collection.

Background to above Wadokei

Purchased from W.F.Bruce, Lewes, England in 2010 as a “box of bits” from the estate of a clock collector.

Double foliot escapement.  Fixed hand and rotating dial.  Brass top and bottom plates, plus brass pillars, side plates and dial.  Double aperture to bottom of front plate; unusually indicating time of high tide each day; an important event in Japanese culture as important events and contract signings would never be done on an ebbing tide.   Bracket height 310mm.

Date: Estimated to be early 1800’s from its all iron Wadokei mechanism, plus shallow bell design (considered original as it aligns with alarm hammer and foliots).

Restoration of above Wadokei

Wadokei Mechanism:

The Wadokei is well worn and in need of some bushing and arbors fettling. The crownwheels are worn as are the verge pallets – a future project.

Fitted with a further replacement bell as the bell supplied was round.

The bracket requires significant cleaning and refurbishment. A replacement Hood was made with glass side panels, plus upper panel of silk anf fretted brass.