Antique School Slate with SLATE Etched In lattice tray but it is about 28"

but it is about 28" long

I love the soft colors of the tiles

Based on some research my guess would be that it was once the face of a lantern clock-- a type of antique weight-driven wall clock shaped like a lantern which became common in the 17th century as  the first type of clock widely used in private homes--and based on comparison with other examples I would guess this dates to the 18th century

It is in very good vintage condition--- no chips or cracks

Antique School Slate with SLATE Etched In lattice tray but it is about 28"I love an antique school slate, and even more one that bears the traces of a prior owner, and of course I'm drawn like a magnet to things relating to language, especially when self descriptive. On one side of this one, etched into the slate, is "SLATE" itself, handwritten in capital serif lettering, which sure looks to me as if written in the 19th century based on the manner of the lettering. Perhaps the child who wrote it imagined with great