Fret Frets are pierced, decorative attachments which usually sit above the dial of a clock on its case. Frets can appear on the front, right-hand side and left-hand side of the clock’s case. Their function was to cover the gap between the clock and the striking bell and to provide a means for the sound of the strike to escape the clock. Frets are usually made of wood or brass, depending on the type of clock: brass lantern clocks feature brass frets, whereas wooden clock cases have frets made of wood. Horologist Brian Loomes identified common motifs for frets on lantern clocks, which include two dolphin-like sea serpents, a central shield, and lions with a unicorn holding a shield. He has also observed that the frets on surviving lantern clocks are rarely original. Most are replacements. References Loomes, Brian. 2007. Lantern Clocks and Their Makers. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Landmark Publishing Ltd.
