More on Clocks

Wall Clocks

The earliest form of English wall clock is the lantern, dating from c. 1620. Their age, simple construction and desirability mean that they are one of the most faked types of clock.

Early lantern clocks were fitted with balance wheel escapements, but surviving examples are almost unknown. In general, any lantern clock with a balance wheel has had its escapement restored. Many early lantern clocks were converted to short pendulum verge escapements later in the 17^th century and were often further converted to long pendulum anchor escapements at a later date. Redundant holes in the top plate are the usual evidence of such conversions.

Lantern clocks originally ran on woven ropes, which were threaded over spikes on the ratchet wheels. They were often converted to run on chains; if so, the ratchet wheels will have had their points filed down.

Pierced frets at the top of lantern clocks have sometimes been damaged and required replacement. These frets are cast in one piece with their feet: if a replacement has been fitted its feet may not match the original holes, which will be detectable. Any signature that appears at the base of the front fret should be checked for authenticity.

In recent years the increasing value of lantern clocks has led to the production of many counterfeits, some using movements taken out of simple 30-hour country long case clocks. Others, such as the large number of examples signed "Thomas Moore, Ipswich", are brand new though given the appearance of age by being chemically treated or buried in earth for a while.

Dial Clocks

Dial clocks were introduced into Britain in the mad-18^th century and were popular until the early part of this century. Although they are not much faked yet, early examples are now sufficiently valuable to merit careful scrutiny.

The first examples had painted wood or engraved and silvered dials similar to those of long case and bracket clocks. They were usually signed by a London maker. The movements had short pendulum verge escapements with a fuse in the train. The cases were generally a rich, dark mahogany with a broad turned bezel and a substantial wood or brass ring securing the glass. The hands were of pierced blued steel or, very occasionally, brass, and were similar in design to those of contemporary bracket and long case clocks.

During the early part of the 19^th century the number of examples increased dramatically and the silvered dial passed out of fashion, being supplanted by painted metal – usually tin. Examples do exist in which original painted dials have been exchanged for engraved, signed, silvered or brass dials to give the impression of an earlier date.

Later in the 19^th century these clocks changed very little in detail, but just enough to make them less valuable. The dials and glass became flat and the brass bezel less substantial. Hands became plainer, sometimes with simple spade ends; minute hands might have no decorative shaping at all.

Check that the clock belongs in the case by examining the retaining screws in the edge of the dial. All three or four of them should align with holes in the frame and there should be no redundant holes.

Carriage Clocks

Carriage clocks were introduced early in the 19^th century and are traditionally held to be modelled on the pendules d'officiers used by Napoleon's commanders. It was the perfection of the lever escapement and the low cost of manufacture, combined with their exceptional accuracy, that led to the mass production of the clocks.

English examples are rare by comparison with their French counterparts, of which hundreds of thousands were made between 1850 and 1920. In the last ten years several French and Swiss companies have recreated them, not as forgeries but simply as copies of a continuously popular styles. They are obviously new, although a small number are around that have been "aged" by dirtying the case and the movement.

The clock is very likely to be modern if the dial, which should be enamel and very smooth, is thin and slightly corrugated, with the white very white and the back very black. Some clocks are stamped with serial numbers on the back plate, and if these are composed of more than five digits the clock is unlikely to be old.

Beware of alterations to carriage clocks. A Recent modification has been the replacement of the side glasses with modern electrotyped metal or porcelain panels. They are inferior in quality, being decorated in acrylic or cellulose paints which have a soft and greasy appearance, and sit ill with an original plain white dial.

Although mass-produced, carriage clocks were finely if not heavily gilded and some signs of wear should be expected if the gilding is claimed as original. The best quality examples were fire gilded and can occasionally be found still in perfect condition. Original gilding should be preserved if possible.

One particular "enhancement" to be aware of is the alteration of a quarter-striking (petite sonnerie) clock to a full grande sonnerie. It is not technically difficult to lengthen the slide on a quarter-striking clock or to fit the complete mechanism and to turn such a clock into a grande sonnerie. However, the modification means that the clock will not strike in the grande sonnerie mode throughout a full seven-day period – the barrel on a grande sonnerie clock is larger than its quarter-striking contemporary. The ideal way to buy a grande sonnerie carriage clock of doubtful history is therefore on eight days' approval.