RICHARD AMES, HOLBORN, LONDON. CIRCA 1660

Richard Ames (1634-1682) was apprenticed in 1648/49 to one of the earliest and well known lantern clockmakers, Peter Closen, and may have succeeded him in business. Brian Loomes (Lantern Clocks and Their Makers, Ashbourne, 2008, p. 127-132) notes that Ames started his career exactly when the pendulum first appeared, between 1657 and 1660. He illustrates (pp. 128-129, figs. 9.5-9.9) what he describes as Ames' first lantern clock which, like the present example, was conceived with a balance wheel, although that clock has since been converted to pendulum. Loomes speculates that Ames was either at the time unaware of the new pendulum system or was making a balance version as a cheaper option.He illustrates three further clocks by Ames (pp. 132-133, figs. 9.10-9.13) all of which have pendulums and suggests, despite Ames using the old balance system for some of his work, he was probably one of the first to embrace the pendulum. It is interesting to note that these examples share similar features to the present clock such as the engraved fret design and vase finial shape. Those clocks are also signed in the same manner and share similar designs to the dial engraving of the present clock.
Ames was Freed of the Clockmakers' Company January 1656/57 and took on several apprentices including John Ebsworth. He was made assistant of the Clockmakers' Company in 1669, Warden in 1676 and elected its Master in September 1682 but died soon after on 12 October with his widow continuing the business.