Dating longcase clock dials

How do you date an 18th century longcase clock?

18th century longcase clocks can be difficult to date because the brass dials were square before 1720 but about this date an arch top was added to London clocks, although, some square dials were still made after this date. Some provincial dials remained square, particularly in the country areas, until about 1760, especially on some 30 hour clocks.

What is the dial on a longcase clock made of?

The dial is brass and arched. Brass dials pre-dated longcase clocks, being used for lantern and table clocks of much earlier times. We do know that brass dials all but ceased in Victorian times, being replaced by painted dials in the late 18th century and beyond.

Are longcase clocks worth anything today?

What is very disturbing is that many, if not most, longcase clocks found today are marriages, or otherwise substantially modified. These clocks demand considerably less value than a clock where all of the parts started out life together, as just one original clock.

When did the first longcase clock come out?

— c alendar movements were introduced to English longcase clocks c.1660. — machine made wood screws were introduced as early as 1806 in France. — reverse-painted glass tablets date from the early 1800’s.

What kind of clock is an 18th century clock?

18th Century Antique Longcase Clocks 18th Century Antique Longcase Clocks These are tall freestanding clocks driven by a long pendulum and housed in wooden, decorated or carved, cases. Longcase clocks often referred to as Grandfather clocks, Grandmother Clocks and Granddaughter depending on their size.

How can you tell how old a longcase clock is?

We can look at theDial Centre for clues on dating our antique longcase clocks: Matted with a small amount of engraving before 1740; ringed around winding holes from 1690-1740; with a square date box before 1760 and round after. Engraved dial centre 1760-1780 and Lunette date aperture 1760-1780.

When was the first longcase clock made?

The first fully-enclosed clock known dates to 1665, the one pictured here was made by Edward East in London, dated 1685. Now instantly recognisable as a longcase, or grandfather clock.

How to date an antique wall clock?

However, if you don’t there are various little things that can help when dating antique clocks. Like knowing when certain features were introduced or certain materials became available. A few simple things that can point you in the right direction and at the correct period for your antique wall clock, advertising clock or bracket clock.

When did the longcase clock become so popular?

During the 18th century the longcase clock became very popular not only in London but in the provincial areas, this resulted in many different kinds of styles and wood being used all over the country. Each area had their own case style which stayed with them into the 19th century, as the style of the cases progressed so did the dials and movements.

Why is a longcase clock called a grandfather clock?

The Oxford English Dictionary states that the popular 1876 song My Grandfathers Clock is responsible for the common name grandfather clock being applied to the longcase clock.

When was the first model clock made?

The first model clock was built in 1657 in the Hague, but it was in England that the idea was taken up. The longcase clock (also known as the grandfather clock ) was created to house the pendulum and works by the English clockmaker William Clement in 1670 or 1671.

How do longcase clocks work?

Most longcase clocks strike the time on each hour or fraction of an hour, but musical movements were a further sophistication and, by the Edwardian era, many longcase clocks, often with monumental revivalist case styles, housed triple weight-driven movements capable of quarter-striking with the Westminster, Whittington or St Michaelss chimes.