Ruth's Blog

In August last year, Mr D George of Waltham generously gave to Louth Museum a longcase or “grandfather” clock.  It has a painted dial with an arched top, and was made by John Parker of Louth in the late 18th or early 19th century.

From at least 1793, John Parker was a watch and clockmaker in Louth’s Butcher Market, now the Cornmarket.  At this time the number of clockmakers rocketed and consequently the clock business became less profitable.  John Parker went bankrupt in March 1811, and later that month his belongings were sold by auction - household furniture and stock in trade, including silver watches, clock dials and two excellent wheel barometers.

Come and see this lovely clock and more than twenty others (on temporary loan to the museum) in our Clock Exhibition which runs from 5 April to 8 July.  See how clock faces developed – the very early clocks had an engraved brass dial, whereas the later ones had a painted dial which could be more easily decorated.  Learn about swan necks, chapter rings, paterae and spandrels, and if you want the full auditory experience, come at about 11 am or 12 noon, to hear them striking the hours!