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Antique Grandfather Clock by William Smith – London mid 18th century

A superb chinoiserie decorated grandfather clock with the dial signed on a silvered cartouche William Smith London.

The 10inch brass square dial with lovely brass spandrels and silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals. The centre with fine matting and subsidiary seconds and calendar apertures.

The 5 pillar good quality movement striking the hours on a single bell.

The lovely decorated lacquer-work cabinet with flat top to the hood with fretwork beneath, long decorated trunk door with applied moulding. Decorated base panel with sce4nes and gold leaf decoration. All standing on a shaped single plinth.

William Smith is recorded as working, as a clockmaker, in Cheapside, London from 1750 to 1780. A very well respected clockmaking family who made clocks for members of the royal family. One is engraved “This clock was made In the Year 1763 For her ROYAL HIGHNESS the PRINCESS AMELIA By W Smith Moorfields London.”

Antique Grandfather Clock by James Scholefield – London C1760

A good mid 18th century ‘8 day’ duration lacquer longcase clock. The arched brass dial by James Scholefield of London. The cabinet showing good Chinese scenes. Furthermore the dial with chapter ring and spandrels. Including seconds and calendar rings, matted centre and strike/silent to arch. Finally the 5 pillar movement striking hours on a single bell.

Antique Grandfather Clocks

Posted on 23rd May 201423rd October 2018 by wpPOM

Silvered Brass Dial Clocks

A couple of years ago I wrote an informative post on painted dial grandfather clocks. Their history and development. I have written this piece in conjunction with that post as the two really go hand in hand. Right I hear you all ask, well how are they connected?

Engraved Brass Dials

The rise of the white dial grandfather clock dials in Birmingham made the brass dial manufacturers sit up and take notice. This new technology could easily take over and this was centered in Birmingham. Dial painters would really have a monopoly over the supply. The clock makers who had specialist engravers and relied on the brass cast dials clearly had to do something. The white dials were pretty and they served a purpose of being easier to read the time on the clocks face.

A challenge to the white dial dominance

White dials with blued iron hands were really easy to read, even from a distance. The clock above is so significant as it is dated 1771 and is an all over brass silvered dial clock. The painted dials were recorded as starting in pretty much the same time as silvered brass dials. It is probably of a great deal of significance that the clock above was made in the same town as where the white dials started production in Birmingham. I believe Mr Cranmer has his ear to the ground so to speak.

First of its kind

He developed the dial above as one of the first of its kind, to compete with these new painted dials coming on the market. You will notice the unusual painted scene to the arch and the slightly strange thick engraving to the dial. Further examples of silvered dial white dial grandfather clocks. These can be found on our website of Pendulum of Mayfair or by clicking here: Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd.

London silvered brass dial clock by Tatnell C1790

Tatnell London clock

You will see a later more standard London silvered brass dial clock by Tatnell of London. With an all over silvered brass dial, the dial is cast brass in the 18th century. this is then made to look like silver by rubbing with a white powder called silver chloride. This leaves deposits of silver on the dial. It gives it its silver look. In most cases the dial is then lacquered to make it slightly harder wearing. Generally though a silver coating on the dial will wear over time and needs re-silvering every generation.

Temporary Solution to White Dial Dominance

In the 20 years after the development of the painted dial grandfather clock dials sales boomed. The sales on the other hand of the standard grandfather clock dial decreased. The brass dial with chapter ring and spandrels started to become less popular. Up to 1790 as a result of the development of the silvered brass dials sales were running about equal. After C1790 though the sales of white dial continued at a pace. By C1820 you were looking at a market that was dominated with painted dial clocks. The painted dial manufacture set up in other places around the country. Not just in Birmingham. The brass dial clocks were on the decline. The silvered brass dial saved the production for 20/30 years. The decline of brass dials and rise of painted dials had taken hold.

Posted on 5th October 201222nd October 2018 by wpPOM

Antique Clocks – Which Monarch Ruled ?

I have been asked many times over the years which clocks I would choose. Also which period of clockmaking I consider to be the finest in the last 200 or 300 hundred years. I will be considering these points in my brief outline of the Monarchs of Britain since 1689. Most grandfather clocks are made after this period and so it seems like a good place to start.

William and Mary were offered the throne of the British Isles in Feb 1689 after the overthrow of King James II of England. This period was called the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

William and Mary – Feb 1689- March 1702

Lots of special walnut, marquetry and ebony grandfather clocks were manufactured during this period, many of the dials were of only 10 inches across.

Queen Anne – 8th March 1702 -1st August 1714

The stand out date within Queen Anne’s reign was 1st May 1707. This is when The Act of Union was signed. The Kingdom’s of England and Scotland were united under one sovereign state. The Kingdom of Great Britain. With the clock world this date has an influence on the brass dials produced around this time. You will see brass dials with the Maltese Cross spandrels symbolising the Act of Union.

It is now we come to the greatest period of clockmaking within these Isles in my opinion. The Georgian Period, stretching from 1714 to 1820. The last 9 years of which were classified as Regency, as the good old George III went slightly mad.

George I – 1st Aug 1714 – 11th August 1727

A continuation of the lovely walnut, marquetry and lacquer grandfather clocks produced earlier. The introduction of the arched dial grandfather clock in this period around C1715

George II – 11th June 1727- 25th October 1760

At the end of this period we see the introduction of the fine mahogany veneers. Cuban and Honduras mahogany clocks being a particular favourite of mine.

George III – 25th October 1760 – 29th Jan 1820

So much happens in this period of clockmaking. It really is the golden age in my opinion. The white dial was introduced, these started in Birmingham. By the end of the 18th century over 50% of the clocks manufactured had a white dial. The brass dial that had dominated clocks for the preceeding 100 years production. They were in sharp decline.

From 1811 to 1820 another important period in antiques is called the Regency Period. Many fine clocks were made in this period, particularly bracket and wall clocks. You see the introduction of things like brass inlays etc.

George IV – 29th Jan 1820 – 26th June 1830

The end of the Georgian period of clockmaking in the golden age.

William IV – 26th June 1830- 20 June 1837

In my opinion most grandfather clocks made for the mass market were of inferior quality of construction by this date. Compared to the previous 100 years, many were wider and of poorer quality construction. It is now that the clockmaker sells to retailers more and more. The name to the dial is increasingly the retailer of the clock not the actual clockmaker. Movements are still of good quality but the cabinets tend to be not to everyones tastes.

Victoria – 20th June 1837 – 22 Jan 1901

I think this is an appropriate place to end my look back of a few hundred years of clockmaking. Victoria’s reign oversaw a massive period in Britain’s history. The advent of industrialization. The furniture made during this period is always more elaborate. Many pieces of furniture are highly carved. For me though clockmaking in the UK is in further decline for the mass market. The individual brilliance of the clockmaker is being, in most cases, turned into a production line where very few special items are produced. When they were produced they were knockout but in general this was not the case. I suppose as labour costs and mechanization increased, quality unfortunately took a back seat. Clocks were more affordable to the mass market though. There were clearly exceptions to the above statements, especially when items were made specially to order.

Posted on 20th April 201222nd October 2018 by wpPOM

Regional Characteristics of Antique Grandfather Clocks

Antique grandfather clock cabinet production was separate from the clock maker. The clock maker just produced the fine antique clock movements. As you can imagine communities stayed very much together during the early years and people did not travel long distances. As a result you will notice every area of the country in the 18th century had a very different case style. It is very easy to place the manufacture of an antique clock cabinet from just a very few features on the case.

Case Styles on Antique Clocks

Further case styles can be found by clicking here.

London cabinet designs changed only slightly during the 18th century. You will see after C 1720 and up to C 1800 usually two plinths, moulding to trunk door and high quality walnut, mahogany veneers or fine lacquer work cases. Examples of this can be seen below. After about C 1800 London clocks can lose the second plinth and the moulding to the door, but you will still see them being quite similar in design. You will also find these close similarities in cases of clocks within 50 miles or so of London. Many clock makers actually bought London style cases in these areas.

London Case Styles

Scottish case styles

You will find many regional designs of cabinets. After looking for a while you will get a good idea of where the clock maker was based from just looking a certain case features. In Scotland for example, especially the East Coast you get some wonderful cases from C1770 to c1810. They are all very slender, shaped top to the trunk door, high proportion base and standing on bracket feet. The most similar characteristic is the swan neck pediments to the hood.

North Western UK Case Styles

You will also find Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol cabinets to be quite distinctive. In the 18th century these areas were very wealthy, especially because of the trade going on with the West Indies and the USA. Manchester was the birth place for the industrial revolution. Cabinets in Manchester and Liverpool, tend to be quite large with quite imposing features, Og feet, Corinthian columns, fine veneers. You will see a typical high quality Liverpool case below.

Bristol was another very important port in the 18th century and the clocks made in this part of the country are very distinctive. Wobbly doors are very common and scenes engraved to dial are very popular, pierced swan neck pediments and OG bracket feet show the fine cabinet work. Again it is easy to see the wealth in this part of the country in the 18th century, the cases are very flambouyant. Understanding case design and the styles of the various parts of the UK cabinet design is important when looking to buy an antique grandfather clock. You can use this knowledge with further research to pinpoint all those important questions that you need reassurance with, when purchasing antique grandfather clocks. Our shop Pendulum of Mayfair takes all these worries away from you.

Posted on 3rd February 201222nd October 2018 by wpPOM

30 Hour Clocks

Lovely 30 hour oak clock — antique cottage clock - 30 hour

30 Hour Country Clocks

My last post was about my most special antique clock makers. I jumped to the support of a superb provincial clock maker at the expense of the hundreds of high quality London makers. In no way was I undermining the great London clockmakers though. We sell more London clocks than any others. I must say we all owe a great deal to the formation of the Clockmaker’s Company in London. The Clockmaker’s Company set standards high and as a result we have lots of special clocks. The UK and London became the centre of clock-making in the 18th century. It is something I am very proud of.

I do think there is a place though for the simple 30 hour clock produced in the provinces. London looked down on the simple 30 hour in the 18th century. No 30 hour grandfather clock examples I believe were produced here after the about C1700. They thought the same of oak cabinets. You will not see a genuine oak London longcase clock I believe, all these were veneered in walnut/marquetry or in figured mahogany, or decorated with chinese lacquer work.

Clockmakers Company

The Clockmaker’s Company kept standards in London high. Provincial 30 hour clocks though have a character of there own. In the 18th century you still had to be well off to own a grandfather clock. They were normally the most expensive item in the household.

Penny moon 30 hour clock — lovely 30 hour dial

30 hours clocks can have a single hand or two hands to tell the time. Most examples do not have a second hand. For a 30 Hour clock to have a second hand it would need a extra wheel in its train or it would run backwards.

Original 18th century 30 hour oak or pine clocks that have not been altered or have not suffered from the dreaded rot or worm infestation are rare though, many have lost parts of their bases over the years or had their movements converted from 30 hour to ‘8-day’ examples. Both of these dramatically effects the value and I would not recommend purchasing one of these.

Pretty white dial 30 hour — wilson 30 hour clock

If you own a cottage though there is nothing better than a simple oak ’30-hour’. You will find they will be very reliable and will fit in with the low ceilings in a cottage much better. Most collectible ’30-hour’ grandfather clocks will have either 10 or 11inch dials, this makes them smaller and slimmer than their standard ‘8-day’ equivalent.

Most of these clocks are wound with a rope or chain, since this rope or chain is on a continious loop, the clocks weight is always engaged when winding. This means that the clock will not stop or lose time during winding. This is effectively the same as ‘maintaining power’ on the fine regulator clocks. They will strike on the hour and it is the same weight that drives the time or going side and the striking side. This is partly why the clock will only last one day on a wind. If you put a clothes peg on the flywheel of the strike mechanism, a 30 hour clock would normally last for about 3 days before needing to be wound.

Conclusion

If you do decide to take the plunge and buy a collectible 30 hour after reading this. Make sure you buy from a recognised dealer. They will give you a money back guarantee that the clock is genuine. Remember to enjoy your search for your grandfather clock whether that be a simple 30 hour clock or a ‘8-day’ example.

As with all antique clocks you are only a custodian of them for future generations. They with live long beyond us if cared for properly.

Repairs

All the Antique Clocks and furniture sold at Pendulum of Mayfair are restored sympathetically to a high standard at our own workshops. It gives us great pleasure and satisfaction working with antiques and understanding the skills and methods used by these 17th and 18th century craftsmen. Very few of the clocks that we make today will be in working order in 20 years time, let alone 200 years. Our legacy of the 20th century is basically a throwaway society.

When these Longcase clocks were produced in the 17th and 18th centuries, I wonder if their makers understood that these clocks would last virtually for ever. They were made then to a quality and not to a cost, and designed to last; I only wish their makers could see them still ticking in many homes today.

One would think as a nation our skills would have increased; have they? The skill industries are declining. In the 18th century one of the highest skilled and respected professions was the local clockmaker. We are truly honoured to work on these master timepieces!

Cabinet Restoration

All the basic skills and methods were developed in house by the company’s owner. Just like the olden days we believe it is best to start young and give our youth of society a highly skilled trade and a better future. We consult local schools careers masters and handpick the most conscientious and caring students around. Training lasts for a period of approx. 5/6 years. We take great pride in the finished output of our workshop, even if the item in question is 500, or 50,000,we take the utmost care in trying to produce the best work possible, irrespective of how long it takes.

We do not cut corners; goods only leave our workshop when the owner himself is happy with them. If any part is not to the required standard, the item is sent back and finished to his satisfaction. At the opening of our London shop in November 1995, the head of Sothebys clock department was quoted as saying, ” no business restores their antiques as sympathetically.”

He was able to say this on good authority, because he was shown one clock that he had previously sold unrestored at his auction.

Our methods that we use in our workshop are special; we try and maintain the original colour and patination to give a soft finish. All repairs are carried out with wood of a similar age to the article being restored. We buy distressed antiques to saw up for veneers; this wood is then graded in to types and age, to provide as near as match as possible.

Over the last 20 years we have amassed considerable stocks of material for restoration.

Antique bracket clocks in restoration

We have extensive stocks of over 200 Antique Longcase Clocks available unrestored awaiting restoration. All stock both restored and unrestored is kept in controlled environments for both temperature and humidity. If antiques are bought that have not been previously stored in the correct conditions as above, they are more likely to warp or split, whenever they are subject to central heating. It is advisable to keep antique furniture in R.H. between 40 and 65%.

Movement Restoration

Be very careful with whom you entrust your antique clock movement. Most of our time in the clock department is taken putting right what other so called restorers have done in the past. Because of this we like to work on untouched antiques in so called sleepy condition.

Again the work we do on this side of the antiques business is of utmost importance to us. We ship antique clocks to all corners of the world. They have to work properly; all movements are pre cleaned, then all the necessary work is carried out. We do the pivots/bushes, all to close tolerances. The bushes are of the Swiss bergeon type or are made by us out of cast brass, to match the colour of the movement. The pallets are restored with high-grade material, and then all the other necessary work is carried out. There is a final cleaning/polishing stage where we use gloves.

The dials are lacquered using a special colourless lacquer to keep them as clean as possible for years to come. Finished movements are then tested and regulated for timekeeping for 7-21 days. Longcase movements should not need maintenance after we have serviced them for wear for the next 40 years.

They will require oiling every 1-2 years and may require cleaning if kept in dusty atmospheres. Oiling takes 5-10 minutes and is easily carried out by the owner.

Conclusion

High quality restoration of antique grandfather clocks and longcase clocks

Buying an antique clock( be it longcase / grandfather / tallcase / wall / bracket clock) is a decision you should not take lightly. Whereas you normally buy a car for 3-5 years, a house for 10 years, one of our clocks will still hopefully be in your family in the next Millennium. You will not understand, unless you have owned one of our clocks, the pleasure they bring. Many of our customers have testified that it is like a nice person coming to live with you!

View our antique clocks available online and if you require any further information or references of our work, please contact me.

Daniel.R.Clements

Posted on 27th November 201521st June 2019 by wpPOM

Great Christmas Gift Ideas

Silver looking around for that ideal stocking filler.

Have you ever been completely lost over what to get your loved one at Christmas?

If so you are one of millions of us rushing around at the last minute with no clue of what to get?
We usually spend hundreds of pounds on something that will be forgotten within a few days. How about some suggestions that will be a memorable present for many years to come ?

Everyone has a budget at Christmas. I will be looking a various options from a few hundred pounds to a few thousands pounds for those with bigger pockets. Maybe for ones like me that tend to save up and buy something really special once a year as a special treat.

Under 500£ Presents

Lovely Art Nouveau Balloon clocks can be a wonderful Christmas gift. Fully restored examples in top condition and of the best quality can be found at under 500£. These lovely little clocks will give years of superb service. Always reminding the person of the day they receive this lovely gift.

Under £1,500 Presents

Antique pre c1900 Fusee wall clocks that have been overhauled and are in showroom condition are fantastic gifts. The earlier type can go from around £1,000 to £1,600. If you want to stretch the budget you can go for a smaller dial example. Convex dials or even rarer large face dials with fusee movement which all are more expensive.

Under £3,000 Presents

For under or around £3,000 you can get a large selection of early or mid 19th century fusee timepiece bracket or skeleton clocks.

Under £7,500 Presents

These superb fusee bracket clocks would be a lovely addition to any home. Woods from mahogany to walnut to ebonized fruitwood can be found on these examples. Most movements are of 8 day fusee type.

From £3,000-£30,000 Presents

Antique grandfather clocks form an amazing addition to any home. They truly are the centre piece. Owning a lovely restored ticking antique grandfather clock is like having someone nice coming to stay with you.

I hope some of these pictures give you the inspiration this Christmas for that really special gift. If not for Christmas then for that special anniversary. Have a part of our nations history ticking away in your home very soon, you won’t regret it.

Daniel Clements

Posted on 20th February 201424th October 2018 by wpPOM

Wood Identification Guide

For antique furniture and clocks different types of wood were used in their manufacture. In this handy guide I am going to cover some of the main woods used. These woods can be of solid form but most flamboyant grained woods are used as hand cut veneers. The carcass is generally made from oak or pine in the provinces or oak generally in London.

Woods Used in London and Provinces

In London oak is only used as a carcas material in the 17th and 18th centuries. Whereas in the provinces you will find antique grandfather clocks being made of oak as the finished wood. Clearly oak was veneered on as well, especially in London by English Walnut up to say C1750 . Then from this date fine Honduras and Cuban mahogany veneers are found. On some clocks you will find very early examples to be of ebony construction or ebonized (black stained fruitwood generally)

Chinoiserie Clocks

You can also get oak grandfather clocks in London that were painted and decorated by Chinoiserie or lacquer work. The finest examples were sent out on boats and decorated in China. On some later clocks you will see these veneered in more exotic woods. Rosewood or maple or even ewe wood. I suppose the smaller size means you can use veneers of the more slow growing and smaller trees. With early clocks these exotic woods were used as well in small pieces and matched. We have owned a lovely walnut burr oyster veneered grandfather clock.

Below is a selection of woods used for antique clocks and furniture during the 17th and 18th and 19th centuries in England. A brief insight into each wood pictured is given. I hope from this blog you will discover what type of wood your clock or piece of furniture is manufactured from.

Honduras flame mahogany — Honduras Mahogany

'plum-pudding' mahogany — Plum Pudding (spotted) mahogany

Mahogany can be a beautiful wood, it starts in the UK being used around C1750 and continues being used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Two most common variants are Honduras (lighter) and Cuban mahogany (darker). It is a close grain hardwood coming commonly from the South America or the West Indies type regions. This tree can be found quite wide and so large sections could be veneered with this wood.

English quarter cut oak — Quarter Cut or star-fleck figured oak

English Oak

English oak is a slow growing and so very heavy wood. Used in construction and veneered some of the time, but it is a beautiful wood in its own right. Oak being so heavy and close grained it is good at preventing things like wood worm. It is one of the reasons why London used it in the construction of its clock cases ahead of pine. Pine is used in the provinces as a rule for carcases as it is cheaper. You will notice the weight difference between an antique clock veneered on oak and an antique clock veneered on pine. Oak just gets better with age and polishing, we call this the patina. Less close grain oak can come from countries like Japan. This wood although called oak, is a far poorer wood to the slower growing English oak.

The climate effects the grain of the wood

English Walnut veneers — English Burr Walnut

English walnut with inlay — Marquetry inlay on English Walnut

Superb marquetry work on english walnut — Marquetry on Walnut

Continental Figured Walnut — Continental walnut

Walnut is a lovely wood and English walnut gets used as veneers in antique furniture and clock manufacture up until C1750. After this date most walnut used is Continental walnut. Continental walnut is a quicker growing tree and so the grain is never as fine as English burr walnut. Again English walnut is a very heavy wood with a close grain. The tighter the burr or knot in the walnut the better. Walnut can range in colour from quite light if the sun has taken it, to quite dark. Walnut is used on all of the German wall regulators or commonly called ‘Vienna style’ wall clocks etc through the 19th century.

Satinwood used as a blank canvass to artists

Satinwood being a very light wood was used towards the end of the 18th centuries and early 19th centuries in the main. Many expensive pieces are manufactured with Satinwood veneers. We have some Pergolesi painted tables with satinwood veneers. I suppose the light colour makes the painting stand out better.

Pine, many of you will be familiar with this wood. It is rare to see a surviving antique grandfather clock made in this wood like the above. It was prone to woodworm unfortunately. Some were painted and this helped preserve them.Many provincial cabinets were constructed out of pine and then veneered. Pine is also used alot today as it is a relatively cheap wood, unlike oak. Clearly as you can see from the grain and if you lifted it from the weight , it is a fairly quick growing tree.

oak decorated with lacquer work — Lacquer or Chinoiserie

Oak can be veneered or painted

Oak was only used on internal construction of cabinets of English London clocks. When this wood was used and if it is not veneered in London you will find it sometimes decorated with lacquer work or Chinoiserie. This is gold leaf and gesso. The best types of these works are seen when they were sent out to China in the early/mid 18th century and decorated their.

I think I have covered the majority of main woods used in English cabinet making. There are others like ewe wood, maple , elm, fruitwood and rosewood. These are not covered as they are used alot less. I hope this blog has been of help to you. If you are still struggling with finding out what wood your clock or piece of furniture is made from, please send me a picture to PendulumClocks@aol.com

Daniel Clements – Pendulum of Mayfair

Posted on 6th June 201222nd October 2018 by wpPOM

Collecting Antiques

I get asked many times about what I would choose if I was starting a collection of antique grandfather clocks. We feel privileged in helping many special customers and friends source their own private antique clock collections. The most important part if you are deciding to build your own antique clock collection is to purchase them somewhere you can get a guarantee they are genuine. I would also take you time in building up this collection, it can not be achieved overnight.

What type of clocks to collect?

I believe the greatest antique grandfather clocks were produced between C1680 and C1820. I am now going to suggest a possible date and styles that you could choose to form this collection. It is true you might prefer a particular style of antique clock and then you could just collect this style. There is nothing wrong in doing this. You may prefer just famous London makers from the 17th and early 18th centuries like Thomas Thompion or Edward East or George Graham. I have no problem in collectors heading down this route.

Broad spectrum of clocks

A route I will suggest here is a broad spectrum of special antique clocks from the entire range of the period suggested above. The collection could be increased still further from what is listed below by different dial shapes or antique clocks from different towns also showing distinctive case features.

Examples of Interest

I think it is important to start your collection with a special early example of a London marquetry brass square dial grandfather clock by a reknowned but not necessary ultra famous maker. This clock will date from around C1690 and be a good ‘8-day’ example, usually with a lentical to the trunk door.

I think next on the list would be a good ‘8-day’ or ‘month’ duration English burr walnut square brass dial grandfather clock, again by a good London clockmaker.

I think it is then important to source a good arch or square brass dial early lacquer clock from C1715. This again will be a London area example.

A burr-walnut arched brass dial caddy top London grandfather clock is also essential to any collection. These tend to date from C1715 to C1750.

A good early arched or square brass dial provincial oak grandfather clock should form part of any collection. These dating from early to mid 18th century. These will be good ‘8-day’ examples with maybe an early ‘penny’ moon feature or automaton to the arch or dial centre.

The clocks do not have to cost the earth.

An early oak or maybe pine 30 hour duration clock with brass square dial would be nice in any collection.

Moving on to my favourite period in antique clocks from C1760 onwards. A good C1770 London mahogany arched brass dial is vital.

A superb London mahogany arch white dial ‘8-day’ grandfather clock.

9)/10)11)

Moon examples of 7 and 8 are also important to any collection, as is an automaton example.

12)

A good Manchester moonphase grandfather clock from around C1770

13)

A typical Liverpool moonphase grandfather clock from around C1770

14)

A typical Bristol tidal times moonphase mahogany grandfather clocks from around C1770

15)

A typical Hull pagoda top mahogany grandfather clock from around C1770/C1790

16)

A good Edinburgh grandfather clock from the end of the 18th century

17)

A good white dial Dundee or thereabouts mhaogany arch dial grandfather clock from C1790

18)

A good London with attached hood columns arched brass dial mahogany grandfather clock.

19)

A good London with attached hood columns square silvered brass dial mahogany grandfather clock.

20)

Various Precision Regulator examples with the differing means of pendulum compensation.

Conclusion

I have tried to form the basis of a wide ranging collection This could be a good tool for you to start building your own antique clock collection. Clearly there are some great clocks from other provincial towns around the country that I have not mentioned. You can also throw in some special provincial makers like Barber or Ogden or Deacon to the mix. I suppose a wide ranging collection should encompace as many differing cabinet styles from all the areas of the UK. These may also include one from the west coast of Scotland, or Ireland, even though I am not a big fan of the typical 18th century case styles from the these areas. This is just a personal taste though and one clock from each place as an example would not be out of place in any collection. I suppose this depends on space and finance though. I believe a minimum of 25 grandfather clocks would be required to be purchased to obtain a good overall wide ranging collection. This can then be bulked out if necessary be adding more towns or special collectible makers. Clock collecting can be quite addictive.

– Daniel Clements – Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd 51 Maddox street, London –