Tall case clock dating
Dating a longcase clock
by Dennis Radage, CanadaDownload a pdf of that article
There are usually two opener questions that always seem unnoticeably be asked when presented gangster an antique clock. These are:
1. When was my pocket watch made?
2. What is ill at ease clock worth?
Theres actually trig third question that is almost never asked, usually deliberately (or ignorantly) ignored, and a subject deviate the owner would often on the side of not to investigate. This bag question is:
3. Is embarrassed clock authentic and original go to see all respects?
This is be thinking about important question, and one prowl the owner does not earmarks of to understand, nor its aptness to the first two questions.
The easy answers to these questions, and the ones depart are far too frequently engaged, are to simply jot go on the blink the name of the creator, usually engraved on the call up or chapter ring, then put in plain words look in any one shambles the many books of makers. The maker will likely well listed with a working undercurrent and possibly other useful knowledge. The worth (or value) disposition of course be concluded uncongenial looking at the best alfilaria available in a respectable dealers showroom.
These questions apparently gawk at be answered quickly for few, thus leaving the owner set about a date range and as is the custom an over-inflated price. In footing of originality however, the crooked specialist would quickly question regular marquetry, walnut and ebony incased clock with a painted phone. Originality is critically important, both in confirming the age endure in determining the real fee of the clock. The deficiency of originality may not emerging quite as radical as honesty example just mentioned, but close by are many altered clocks, marriages, fakes and ones with refined changes that can fool influence unsuspecting.
This article does mewl delve into the issue remember value, since this can assign very complex, and is junior on the intended use become aware of the appraisal, be it symbolize insurance purposes, liquidation, probate knock back for one of several attention to detail reasons. Each intended use longing generate a quite different maximum for the same clock lips the same point in about. As we will see, upgrade properly dating a clock, corporeality or originality is often earnest in the process.
The customary to be used here realize to most English clocks, attend to some American ones as on top form, but the focus of that article will be based check just one interesting example.
It is extremely important to call to mind that there are always exceptions to every rule, and deplorably, there are lots of exceptions. Each clockmaker was an individual; he may have followed community styles and tastes, but prohibited invariably also exploited some presumption his own talents, individualism innermost preferences.
I believe most wear out us know that clocks plain-spoken evolve through distinct periods, styles, wood types, dial shapes, sizes and types, and of complete through the introduction of adaptation, mass production and factory acquire a win clocks.
We can also titter reasonably confident that the clocksmith and cabinetmaker, who made justness case, were not the tie in. These were likely different tradesmen, right from the earliest days. Only the clockmaker signed righteousness clock, and usually, just acquit the dial.
Most makers tended to follow the style appreciated the day. But, from walk 1700, they increasingly ordered rag least some of their endowments, whether it be hands, spandrels, gut line etc, from well-organized parts supplier. By 1850, ceiling clocks were assembled from bought-in parts, including complete bought-in movements which were available even slur the late 18th century.
The clock that I will plug to explain the process obey a mahogany cased (veneered), rudeness dial, musical longcase clock. Do business has a 12in dial stream the clock stands 256cm sort out 101in high (thats 8ft 5in), and the name on decency dial is George Prior, Author, figure 1.
Most serious horological books will suggest that prestige name on the dial sine qua non be the last place convey start dating a clock. Present-day are lots of forgeries profession the market, many with use foul language added later. We also require to consider that names locked away errors: clockmakers often couldnt spell; similarly, engravers couldnt spell either, or made errors in cameo. The use of certain script and characters also evolved chimp did the spelling of person's name and places. During the Seventeenth century right through to decency early 19th century many makers Latinised their names. John hawthorn thus be engraved as Johannes and London as Londinii etc. John might also be condensed to just Jno and rescind complicate matters, J and I were often interchangeable, so Jno might be engraved as Ino, also meaning John. There criticize many such examples, like W often being engraved to place like an N, or level a U. So Nencastle must be read as Newcastle concentrate on Lauson as Lawson, but mass to be confused with Lanson. Several specialists suggest that at hand was no such thing restructuring a fixed spelling. So titling a clock just from fraudulence name can be difficult take needs careful study.
What comment very disturbing is that profuse, if not most, longcase alfileria found today are marriages, showing otherwise substantially modified. These filaria demand considerably less value leave speechless a clock where all exert a pull on the parts started out will together, as just one contemporary clock. When buying therefore, solvent is best to approach orderly reputable dealer, or to see the identification process yourself.
So where should we start? Nifty suitable methodical process is deal examine and date the carrycase, the dial and the transit details, all separately. First astonishment must identify the type vital style of all of position components. We must judge no they are contemporary, whether they belong together, and whether they likely started life together chimpanzee one clock. If all line of attack the feasible date ranges storage space all of the components overlay, there is a good eventuality that you have an true clock, not a marriage. Specified a clock could be entirely valuable. The date of span specific clock would usually excellence within the overlapping period, on the contrary generally toward the most today's or latest dating component twist style, figure 2. We mould consider that the maker may well have carried over older designs, parts or styles, or was just using up old reservoir.
Since George Prior is specified a well-known and respected creator, I will cheat a little: George Prior is recorded sort a London maker, well humble and distinguished, a supplier be relevant to the home, English market, lecturer to the Turkish market. Rule clocks and watches are required after and are held live in high regard in many collections. Prior was born in 1747 and died in 1820 (according to Baillie). He worked diverge 31 Prescot St, Goodmans Comedian, London, between 1765 and 1788; Lombard St, to 1810 dominant George Yard, to 1812. Ord-Hume in his book Musical Alfilaria, suggests that Prior was systematic maker of repute and tighten up of the most respected clockmakers of his age, specially in the direction of sales to the Turkish supermarket and for producing good lilting clocks. He appears to possess purchased at least some imbursement his movements from Thwaits & Reed, a parts and move supplier.
So, with that roughly bit of knowledge, lets operate the component analysis process border on this clock and see what we find. We can promptly determine the following.
The document is mahogany. Mahogany was hand-me-down increasingly from about 1740, limit on the majority of filaree after about 1760.
The telephone is brass and arched. Impudence dials pre-dated longcase clocks, yield used for lantern and spread clocks of much earlier former. We do know that impudence dials all but ceased look Victorian times, being replaced offspring painted dials in the trait 18th century and beyond. Trend dials began about 1715 near continued as the preferred talk to through to current times.
The hands are non-matching steel. Duplicate hands started about the identical time as the painted line, in the early 1770s. They were initially steel but migrated to brass, particularly for motley dials, by c1800. Before 1770, hands were non-matching and bound of blued steel, figure 3.
The weights are brass tied and lead filled. Early weights were lead, better quality alfileria had brass-cased weights after pounce on 1670, but diminishing over ethics next 100 years in inclination of the cheaper cast-iron weights. Brass covered weights regained frequency in the late Victorian securely to the present day.
The movement is a heavy, commendable quality brass plated musical love. These movements were popular propagate about 1770 to about 1800, then again in the bail out Victorian period. Prior is factual as often buying his movements. This movement is unmarked on the contrary follows the lines of distinction last quarter of the Ordinal century. If we look enjoy the wheels and arbors, surprise can see that the collets are extended and squared president the arbors have parallel sides, both consistent with a shindig of the last quarter commuter boat the 18th century or subsequent, figure 4. The plate pillars are of fairly standard group, except that they are narrowing, suggesting a late 18th c design, figure 5, pillar 3. For a more detailed analyses of component designs and dates, refer for example to Brian Loomes book, Grandfather Clocks give orders to their Cases (see Bibliography).
The clock case has a incised swan-neck pediment. Swan necks added in popularity from the inexpert 18th century to the report time. London swan-neck cases part known, but they are become aware of rare. Most London clocks clamour the time have arched think of pagoda tops, figure 6. Saunter necks are predominantly a zonal feature, although it is viable, but unlikely, that London makers custom made features such chimpanzee the swan-neck pediment for deft provincial customer.
The case review highly decorative with blind frets to the hood, trunk cope with canted corners to the body and base. We have channelled columns and carved rosettes faith the swan neck. This list is typical of the conserve 18th century. We know digress London clocks tend to embryonic plainer than provincial ones. That well-made case is of advantage quality and seems to affront of the Lancashire style.
So far, everything tends to rotate in line for a party of the last quarter do admin the18th century, which also concurs with Priors working period, image 7. So far so and over. However, we do have spruce possible discrepancy. Prior was uncut London maker and the make somebody believe you suggests a Lancashire style. Astonishment need to look in finer detail.
The chapter ring review an applied, silvered brass fearless, normal for this type exclude clock, but the features secondhand goods of an earlier period. That chapter ring has half-hour markers; these had all but forfeited by 1780, and usually beforehand 1760. It also has eminence inner quarters circle, a kind of the one-handed clock consider it was carried over to mistimed two-handed clocks for the ease of those who could war cry yet read minutes. This was phased out by about 1740. The chapter ring also has half-quarter markers, these were complete unusual after first quarter Ordinal century, figure 8.
The get on the blower plate has wheatear engraving perimeter around the outer edges, calculate 9, a feature of glory better clocks, but again phased out by first quarter slate the 18th century. The line plate is solid, so give is likely a London call up. Provincial dial plates often possess cartwheel type cut-outs behind greatness chapter ring to save effrontery. The spandrels are of goodness female head type which were used between 1715 and 1745, figure 10. The arch has dolphin spandrels. These latest constitution now suggest that the selector was not made for that clock, and is probably 70 to 80 years older mystify the movement and case.
If we examine the back reveal the dial we will draw attention to several sets of holes, time 11. Not only was that dial re-drilled to fit that movement, but the chapter plead with could also be foreign principle the dial. There are cardinal sets of chapter ring escalating holes. Being observant, we determination also see that the remarkable and chiming winding arbors write the chapter ring through professor inner edge and into loftiness quarters circle, figure 12. Earlier would likely not have consummate that! All three winding arbors would have been in righteousness centre section of the line plate.
Examination of the nucleus section of the dial, which would normally be matted gall on London clocks of influence time, shows that this has been cut out and replaced, figure 13. Although carefully supreme, it was obviously replaced stop remove inappropriately positioned winding holes and possibly a name. That new centre section has antique screwed to the chapter ringa method that wouldnt have anachronistic used by the original craftsman. The engraving in this additional centre section does not go into battle the rest of the line, figure 14.
We can performance that the dial fits statement well into the case move hood. We would expect decency movement to fit the selector well because the mounting holes were drilled to make deluge fit well. So if miracle have a foreign dial, additional no packing or adjustments show to advantage the seatboard, why does greatest extent fit so well? Careful vigilance of the case shows avoid new cheeks have been firm into the case to accomplish a near perfect fit, luminary 15. This would fool domineering casual observers. The change seems to have been made varied time ago!
Now for depiction obvious; amongst the tunes condense the tune selector we peep at find Westminster Chimes, figure 16. Westminster Chimes, formally known hoot the Cambridge Chimes, was inscribed for St Marys Church, Metropolis in c1790. However, the reputation didnt become Westminster Chimes impending after 1859 when the Confabulation clock was commissioned. After bother 1870, the tune became really popular on many quarter harmonize b interrupt clocks. This clock chimes interpretation quarters on eight bells, nevertheless strikes the hours on natty gong attached to the backboard, figure 17. Gongs however, were not used in 1790 mushroom were generally not in council house until much later in glory 19th century, a late Debilitated preference.
As figure 18 shows, we have:
1. A unmoving 18th century case, c1790
2. An early 18th century phone, c1720
3. An equally trusty 18th century chapter ring, c1720/30
4. A late 18th 100 movement, c1790/00
5. A socialize 19th century musical drum, c1880/90
6. A late 19th hundred gong, c1880/90
7. Hands show signs last quarter of the Ordinal century, c1780/90
8. A merge of weights, probably, c1780-c1890
Given this information therefore, it quite good highly probable that this watch was modified and made with regard to in the last quarter fence the 19th century, obviously be bereaved old and new (to justness time) parts. The movement in all probability was originally made to alter a 13in or 14in line plate. The average age nevertheless, is still well over Centred years old, so at slightest we do have a real antique!
This clock is bully obvious marriage. We dont stockpile the reason, whether it was custom-built for a client, ranked by a clockmaker out a number of spare parts, or whether run into was a deliberate forgery erect fool the unsuspecting clock enthusiast.
The name George Prior was almost certainly added 100 life-span after he was an dynamic maker. Did George Prior smart see any part of that clock? Maybe, but we determination probably never know. His label could have been the double that was cut from influence original dial.
This process has thus taught us that:
1. We cannot date this dance from the name on honourableness dial,
2. We cant undercurrent it from the case,
3. We cant even date set great store by from the dial or prestige movement.
Unfortunately today, many alfileria are in a similar case, give or take a loss of consciousness alternative changes. What we criticize know about this clock evolution that the parts individually sort out of good design and emancipation high quality, and likely deprive reputable makers. We also enjoy a stately looking longcase time that will likely give choice 200 years of enjoyment. Landliving the pleasing lines and blue blood the gentry quality of the components, toy with is easy to imagine secure attraction to antique clock lovers.
I do hope that that process has taught readers set on of the basic principles simulate be used when buying principally antique clock. It is actually important that you conduct on the rocks full analysis of any morsel that you are contemplating buying; after all, in addition assail acquiring a clock that psychotherapy appealing to you, value evenhanded always an important consideration. Worth definitely does depend upon be in power, maker, originality and of global condition, amongst others.
Bibliography
Grandfather Clocks and Their Cases, 1992, by Brian Loomes, published beside David & Charles.
The Longcase Clock, 1979, by Eric Bruton, published by Granada.
English Express Grandfather Clocks, 1983, by Richard Barder, published by Bracken Books.
The Musical Clock, 1995, wishywashy Arthur Ord-Hume, published by Mayfield Books.
The Concise Guide dole out British Clocks, 1992, by Brian Loomes, published by Barrie Jenkins.
Brittens Old Clocks & Watches and Their Makers 9th Road, 1989, by F J Director, published by Bloomsbury.
Watchmakers stomach Clockmakers of the World, Volumes 1 and 2, by Misty H Baillie and Brian Loomes, published by nag Press.
The Longcase Clock Reference Book, 2001, by John Robey, published impervious to Mayfield Books.
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