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Better Together Campaign

 

I have been a passionate writer on my blog about all aspect of antique clocks over the last few years. I have tried to give the general public much needed information. They can then understand about various different horological matters. Never have I entered any political debates. This blog is to plead with the Scottish people not to give up on our longstanding Union. On 1st May 1707 our two great countries formed the Act of Union. This was passed by the Parliament of England and Scotland following negotiations agreed the previous year.

Act Union 1707

We have stood together in good times and bad. It is better together than apart I believe. Yes I am English, but I am British as well. I love Scotland and the Scottish people. Is their rivalry when England play Scotland ? Yes there is and I would not expect anything different. Maybe I am different but when Scotland are playing in any tournament to most people. I give my full support to them. I am sure the majority of other proud Englishmen do as well.

I stand with our great Union

You only need to see Andy Murray’s support at Wimbledon. He is a proud Scot, but English people still love him and cheer him on.  We have rivalry on a city basis with Manchester United and Manchester City. Like Glasgow has, but we stand together for our national teams. I stand by our great union and I hope the great nation of Scotland wakes up and sends Alex Salmond and this Independence vote packing.

It is worth standing up for

To destroy something so easily that lasted centuries would be a sad reflection on modern day society.  Scotlands voice, England voice in the world will be louder together. Further details of this special antique grandfather clock by John Smith.

I could not resist but end this by adding a special antique clock image that brings all this home. It is a lovely clock from a small town in Scotland called Pittenweem. Pittenweem is a small and secluded fishing village tucked away in the corner of Fife on the east coast of Scotland. Look how the clockmaker signed this clock ‘ NORTH BRITAIN ‘. I am sure he was a proud Scot, but he also, a proud Brit as well. This clock dates from around C1790

Daniel Clements

PendulumClocks@aol.com Antique Clocks Twitter

 

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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 Mahogany

 

Cuban 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.

Quarter Cut or star-fleck figured oak
Solid English 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 Burr Walnut
Marquetry inlay on English Walnut
Marquetry on 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

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

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.

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

 

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Is it a music box or is it a grandfather clock ? No its both !

18th century musical grandfather clocks are very rare examples. I will only see a genuine fine example once every few years. In this blog I will be looking at two late 18th century examples. One fine grandfather clock by Joseph Herring of London C1770. Also a superb rare provincial musical clock by Edward Bilbie of Chewstoke C1780 pictured below.

After discussions and research on the Bilbie family of clockmakers. You can see the example on the left is one of the finest provincial musical clocks by this maker. It bears all the hallmarks of what a Bilbie clock should look like. The lovely polished and engraved dial, with the doric columns superbly engraved to the dial centre. The name on a cartouche to the arch finely engraved and either side, a strike/silent feature and 4 different tunes.

Multiple Tunes

The tunes being ‘ Lincoln Time ‘ , ‘ Bath Time ‘ , ‘ 104th Psalme ‘ , ‘ 23 rd Psalme ‘. Why Lincoln Time, Bath Time I can understand as it is 20 miles away from Chewstoke, but Lincoln Time I do not know the reason. Maybe these were customer selections in the 18th century. The delightful engraving to the centres and outer edges of the arch show what fine craftsman Bilbie was. Bear in mind this is a provincial clock, it really is top quality workmanship.

Lovely quality Bilbie Clock

The dial also shows seconds and further delicate engraving around the edge. A calendar to the dial centre, chapter ring and fine gilded spandrels to the corners of the dial. All dials of this period are cast brass, and all the hands etc are worked on by hand. These are lovely quality iron hands which are eventually protected by being blued.

High quality musical movement

The fine music played by this immense high quality movement is played by means of 12 hammers on 10 bells. This is on a intricate pin wheel barrel. Finding all the right notes for the differing tunes is  so complex. The bells would of been cast by hand. I believe Bilbie did this himself, he had his own foundry , which was very rare. To get the bells so well sounding is a real credit to his talent. You will see a casting mark on the largest bell, but all bells play superbly.

Three train movements

The movement as I have described has 3 trains. One is for the timekeeping , one is for the hours , and the final one is for the music. This plays once every 3 hours. Hence 8 times a day one can wonder at this clockmakers talent. This is not only a lovely furnishing piece but it is a horological work of art as well.

Work of Art

The 8 day movement is also lovely in lots of other ways, everything is built to precision and to a high quality. It is clear high quality pieces were not only built in London. In the pictures below I will show London quality construction, it is very similar to Bilbie’s work here.

 

Joseph Herring Musical Clock

The pictures are of a Joseph Herring London musical Longcase clock. The only real differences between this and the Bilbie are one of two more hammers and an extra bell and a few more pins to the barrel. Very similar movements, both really high quality 8 day examples.You will see from both, the typical three train layout of the dial on these two genuine examples.

4 Tune Musical

The Herring plays 4 tunes as well, some strange 18th hits at that. ‘ Speed the Plough ‘ , ‘ March in Blue Beard ‘ , ‘ Beggar Girl ‘ , and finally one to top the lot off , ‘ Go to the Devil & Shake Yourself’. Maybe the last could come from a modern day rock song. It is definately a strange title for an 18th century tune. These as you can expect are not listed on Youtube. From this blog no doubt some of our clients, who are rock and pop stars, may make these 18th century classics into modern day hits. Watch this space !

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Superb antique restoration projects over the years

We have restored lots of special pieces of antique clocks and furniture over the years. Many of these fine pieces can be viewed at our London antique clock shop, Pendulum of Mayfair in London. We have also restored many grandfather clocks and smaller clocks. These for large banks, famous hotels and various other institutions in central London. The lovely thing about restoring antiques whether it is a grandfather clock or a smaller item, is every repair is different.

Every clock repair is different

The only thing that remains the same if it is an intricate repair is the lovely comments you receive when the repairs have been carried out properly. The transformation of an item into showroom condition makes restoring very rewarding.

It is with great shame over the years there are hardly any proper courses on restoring. There are few antique movements or cabinets courses available in our great universities. These courses used to give a great grounding for young students.

Appeal for more Technical Courses

I now can only recall a couple of courses available in which you can study horology. In this country, one of them being at West Dean. It is with this in mind that all our staff have had to be taught in house by our owner Roy Clements. From humble beginning in a small village in Cheshire, we now have one of the foremost restoration facility’s in the UK. This has mean over the last few years we have even undertaken the restoration of many clocks. For special places like the Russian Embassy in London.

Famoous Places we have been asked to restore for

The Russian Embassy Residence clocks were great projects for us. More important was to meet such wonderful new people. His Excellency the Ambassador Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko and his wife were amazing with us and so were his staff. We will always treat them as friends and thank them for being so hospitable to us. It is very hard in one generation to meet important people like this and be honoured with the responsibility. To be entrusted with the restoration and repair of important clocks, but it shows this can be done. Nothing is not achievable if you work hard enough and are dedicated in what you do.

Examples of Cabinet Restoration

I have listed a lovely piece of antique cabinet restoration below. I wrote some time back but it is a clear idea of what needs to be done in restoring items properly. Always give you items to be restored to a professional. Sometimes poor repairs and restoration can destroy the value of any antique.

Daniel Clements

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Create Your Pendulum Wish list for Christmas

If you could choose any Christmas present, what would it be? For many of us, it might be something beautiful or frivolous that we would never buy for ourselves. For others, perhaps something useful. Well, how about something that is both beautiful and useful, and will also, in due course, become a family heirloom? Have you considered putting an antique clock on your wish list? Pendulum of Mayfair have a range of beautiful antique clocks for sale, ranging from longcase clocks, otherwise known as grandfather clocks, through bracket clocks and wall clocks, to carriage clocks, so you can choose just the right clock for your home and the space available.

Do you want a large freestanding clock? Go for a grandfather clock. If you want a clock for your wall, you can choose either a longer case hanging clock or a round clock, rather like the modern wall clocks now available, but perhaps more beautiful. And if you want something to sit on a table or mantelpiece, have a look at the range of bracket clocks and carriage clocks available. You’ll be sure to find something that will fit the space you have in mind!

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British Summer Time – clocks change

I am an antique clock fanatic and have loved antique clocks and everything about time all my life. I presently run our family business Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd in central London and Cheshire. Various people have looked at changing the clocks time over the years. Most have been unsuccessful in convincing enough people. Either because the changes affect Northern England or Scotland or by people not understanding the major benefits. The system below would benefit pretty much everyone I believe.

Changing time

My proposal is very clear and easy, and will greatly improve most people’s lives. In understanding GMT it is very simple. The hours of daylight are roughly split into the same hours before midday as after. I believe this is fine when there are shorter hours of the day in winter and GMT should remain during the Winter.

Winter and Summer Time

I do believe it works when there are around 16 and ¾ hours of daylight in summer. This spread of time equally between morning and afternoon no longer works for modern living. This is why we have British Summer Time. I believe this should be further enhanced . Sunday March 31st and Sunday October the 27th should remain as the allotted days for changes but British Summer Time should be +2 not +1 (you can call it Double British Summer Time) We will be at the same time as Europe for these months. If you look at the sunrise times for middle England under GMT on the 18th June it is 03.46 under +1 at present this would be 04.46 under my system this would be 05.56. Still early for sunrise, but we will gain by an extra 2 hours of daylight throughout the summer (instead of 1), saving on electricity, enhancing peoples lives.

The need to change

The latest sunset would be 22.31 under this proposal. The economic benefits and peoples health benefits from the extra daylight are considerable. I am sure this would gain the massive support of the majority of the population if this was put to them under a referendum.
Daniel Clements from our London antique clock business , I would welcome your views. Follow my antique clock tweets on twitter.

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Classic Wall Clocks

Are you interested in buying a new wall clock for your house? Have you thought about maybe making your new clock an old clock, and buying a classic wall clock? Pendulum of Mayfair have a great stock of antique clocks. We have plenty of beautiful wall clocks that will enhance any home, modern or older, contemporary or traditional in style.

Wall clocks have been around since at least the late 1700s, and Pendulum even have an early wall clock for sale, from around 1795. It has a lovely 12 inch brass dial, and was made by William Mills in London. Imagine owning a clock that has been working since around the time of the French Revolution. Perhaps it even graced the walls of an escaped aristocrat! It’s worth paying a bit extra to buy that little bit of history, even if you have to imagine the story for yourself. And If you’d like a clock from slightly later, there are plenty available from the mid-nineteenth century, in sizes ranging from 8 inches to 16 inches in diameter, many with mahogany cases, but some with oak. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

Browse the selection of beautiful antique clocks available online, or for more information, call 0207 629 6606 or email pendulumclocks@aol.com.

 

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The Best Provider of Clocks

Here at Pendulum of Mayfair, we are a leading provider of antique clocks. With our main showroom based in Central London you can come and see us directly to view the fantastic antique clocks we have available.

Although we realise we’re not the only provider of antique clocks within the UK, from previous customer feedback, we’re more than confident that we’re one of the best. Here at three reasons why –

  • Experience – We have been selling antique clocks for a number of years. We know what it takes to deliver an impeccable service to all of our customers.
  • Quality – The antique clocks we sell are only the highest of quality. On our website you will be able to see images of our current stock to help give you an excellent idea of what we supply.
  • Price – Although cheapest doesn’t always mean best, especially when it comes to antique clocks, we ensure that our prices are extremely competitive to ensure excellent value for money for you.

 

We hope from the information above, you feel that we’re the best choice for you when you wish to purchase an antique clock.

To find out more, please call us on 0207 629 6606. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you further.

For the best provider of antique clocks, come to Pendulum of Mayfair.

 

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Buy Quality Antique Longcase Clocks Online

What are antique longcase clocks? Well, most people know them as grandfather clocks, but the ‘proper’ name is longcase clocks. And since many of those around now date from the 1700s, there are few people who would argue with the description ‘antique’!

But surely people like me don’t buy antique clocks, whether grandfather clocks or not? If that’s your next question, think again. A grandfather clock was and is many families’ most prized possession, and there’s something very appealing about thinking about all the family history that has passed under the unheeding gaze of the clock over the years. What stories could it tell, if only it could speak?

And an antique longcase clock makes a lovely gift, perhaps for a wedding, especially of one of your own children. Or, if you’d rather enjoy the clock yourself, think of it as buying a future heirloom for your family! They will certainly thank you for it in years to come.

You can buy antique grandfather clocks much more easily than you may have thought.
 

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European Clocks

I have been on a sort of busman’s holiday around the world looking at antique clocks. It is amazing how this country has literally pulled the world together or connected it through our history. I examined the close ties with Australia and antique clocks in my last blog. I have also written about the cloc kmakers that headed to USA for a new life. In both countries this meant the setting up production of a new industry in clockmaking. This will be one of my last blogs concerning clocks from around the world. I will look at antique clocks that were made for a particular market. Two countries spring to mind instantly.

Turkish and Portugese Market For Clocks

In the 18th century antique clocks manufactured in London were being sent to countries like Turkey and to another one of our close allies, Portugal. It is our connection with Portugal I will consider here. We have just restored a fantastic London mahogany grandfather clock. This is pictured above that has spent its entire life in Lisbon, I believe, until we purchased it at the end of last year. The superb example is pictured above.

Spencer and Perkins Lisbon Clock

You will see the clock is made by the great clockmakers Spencer and Perkins in London.Built around C1770. It has a strike/silent to the arch saying Repite and Surdo, clearly in Portuguese. This clock was exhibited in Lisbon in 1986 to commemorate the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It was then 600 years since this historic battle. Right so what exactly is our connection with Portugal. The Anglo-Portugese Treaty of 1373 was signed between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal. This is I believe the oldest treaty in the world. It was a treaty established between two great seafaring nations, a treaty of, “perpetual friendships, unions [and] alliances”.

Close Bonds With Portugal

This little heard of treaty has been reinforced throughout history, including in 1386 in this Battle of Aljubarrota. Here the English sent 100 longbowmen, veterans from the Hundred Years wars to honour this alliance in 1373. There were about 6,500 men on the Portuguese and English side against a force from the Crown of Castile, Kingdom of France and Arogonese allies and Italian allies of over 31,000 men. The Portuguese with the help of the English managed to win against overwhelming odds. In 1386, the closeness of the relations between Portugal and England resulted in a permanent military alliance, with the Treaty of Windsor, the eldest still active in existence. This treaty came into play again in 1643,1654,1660,1661,1703,1815,1899. It was also recognized in the Treaties of Arbitration in 1904 and 1914. This Treaty was also used during the Second World War and was also cited during the 1982 Falklands War.

Rise of Clockmaking

During the rise of the clockmaking in the UK in the 18th century under King George II and III we were at war with or on opposite sides with France many times. Supply of wine after French ports were blockaded became a problem. Our alliances with Portugal made British merchants look further afield. Port was invented as in order to stabilize the wines during their long journey at sea. Merchants added a bucket or two or brandy to the barrels before sending them off.  Britain and Portugal signed the Methuen Treaty providing for, among other things, bolts of cloth from England for pipes of wine from Portugal. This paved the way for the enormous expansion of port trade in the 18th and 19th-centuries.

Port Trade

King George III was rather partial it was believed to this drink, and he helped his allies from Portugal during many occasions. It was believed fine antiques and clocks and other items were sent after various disastrous earth quakes in Portugal. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake was one of the most deadly earthquakes in history.

Lisbon Earthquakes

The pictures above show one such clock that was manufactured in London. This was sent out to Lisbon, Portugal in the 18th century. It has spent, I believe,  all but the last few months overseas. It has a very unusual packing block behind the movement that looks original to the case. This appears to be the way the movement was bolted down for shipment in the 18th century. A really rare feature which you can see below. There is also an 18th century brass plate on the back of the movement that attaches to this block.

It is a fantastic antique clock and it can be viewed on our website, please contact me for any further information.

Daniel R Clements