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English Lantern Clocks

A typical verge 17th century lantern clock with alarm feature to dial centre. These clocks are hung from a hook on the wall and they have one weight which drives both the striking side and going side of mechanism. As a result these clocks go for 30 hours or less on a full wind.

The development of Lantern Clocks

As this is such a broad subject for discussion, I can only give a few important pointers in the development of English Lantern Clocks.  I will try and answer any questions you may have through my main website. The earliest practical timekeepers in homes in this country were the lantern clocks. They deserve discussion and I will do my best in a short piece to give a useful insight into their manufacture/ design and dates.

What is in the name, Lantern Clock?

The name Lantern Clocks always causes much debate. Some people suggest the word derives from a corruption of the word Latten, which used to describe copper alloys, much like brass in the Middle Ages. It is also suggested the name comes from the fact that the clocks shape looks like a rectangular lantern from the period.  In any event Lantern clocks, which are a type of weight driven clock hanging usually from the wall. They came into homes in this country from about C1600 remaining very popular until the 19 th century. You will see many copies of these types of antique clock sold today, many with spring driven movements.

Made of Brass

Lantern clocks were made almost exclusively of brass, you will only find a few posts within the movement and the clock hands made of iron. Sometimes even the antique clock hand will be cut from brass. These clocks generally have a single hand to tell the time. The movements are of a maximum of 30 hours duration. I have never seen a period ‘8-day’ example. These clocks strike the hours on a single bell and are wound from a rope system. Occasionally you will have an alarm feature to the centre of the dial. This alarm feature has sometimes been removed over the years.

(h3>Mechanisms of Lantern Clocks

The earliest mechanisms of these clocks have a balance wheel form of escapement. The development then continues onto the verge escapement and small bob pendulum. The problem with both these methods is accuracy for timekeeping is not great. It was the development of the long pendulum by Huygens in 1656 that further improved these clocks.  Accuracy of about 15 minutes per day was expected with an early balance wheel escapement lantern clocks. Probably 5/10 minutes per day with the early verge escapements. Then onto and to under a minute or so with the anchor escapements and long pendulum.

The long pendulum – Christian Huygens

The invention of the long pendulum was both good and bad for the humble lantern clock. It is clear some of the earliest provincial grandfather clocks were lantern clocks in wood cases shaped very much like coffins. As development continued antique grandfather clock production slowly wiped out the need for lantern clocks. Few lantern clocks tend to be made during the 18th century.

Original lantern clocks dating back to the 17th century are rare and these are highly sought after and collectible. The Victorians unfortunately changed many of the movements of these 17th century lantern clocks. They put key wind late movements to them. I often see these clocks around the salerooms and it makes me sad. I have collected a number of genuine 17th century lantern clocks and many are pictured in the reknowned book by George White on English Lantern Clocks. If you wish to do a detailed study on these exceptional clocks I recommend reading this book. Alternatively visit our website for more information.

 

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Antique Novelty Clocks

 

I have featured previosuly many antique clocks from the 17th/18th and 19th centuries. As you probably know I am not a big fan of most 20th century clocks. There are still some fun clocks made during this period though and I will focus on a few here. The clocks I will be discussing here are so-called novelty clocks.

Art Deco Clocks

You will see from the picture above there are lots of things you can collect that are really fun and interesting. We have a selection of bicycle clocks, one of these even has a barometer in the back wheel. You can occasionally see such items on your travels. As with anything collectible you will probably expect to pay from about £500 to £750 for a nice example dating from the beginning of the 20th century.

You will notice candle clocks, oil lamp clocks and clocks where the eyes tell the time in the case of the dog. Clocks in the the form of a policeman, where the helmet is the alarm bell. There is an unusual petal clock, where the centre of the flower is the time and the mechanism is in the plant pot.

Collecting fun clocks

I hope you agree these are all very interesting and highly collectible antique clocks. Such items are increasing in value. If you start collecting and form a nice collection your money will be well invested. Our business can will advise in this regard.

Personally when I was young I used to collect Art Nouveau Balloon clocks. I have amassed a large collection of these over the years. My passion started when I was about 13 and have loved antique clocks all my life. I grew up in a family antique clocks business with its own in house antique clock restoration department. I had to either love antiques or hate them.

Conclusion

The more you understand about antique clocks, the more you love them. My advice is to start collecting when you are young. Learn from those willing to give you good advice and soak up all this information like a sponge. It is really rewarding now giving back to others all I have learnt over the years and I hope you continue to enjoy my blog.

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vienna or German Wall Clock ?

The term ‘Vienna Regulator’ wall clock is commonly used to describe a narrow weight driven wall clock. All these clocks seem bundled together in one big group. This is wrong in my opinion. There should be a clear differentiation between a true ‘Vienna Regulator’ clock and the later ‘Vienna Style Regulator’ wall clock or properly described as a ‘German  Regulator’ wall clock.

Austrian or German Wall Regulator Clocks

Vienna regulator wall clocks are very special and an original example can be very expensive. These clocks were manufactured throughout the 19th century, but most were made from about C1800 to C1850. These clocks were  hand made and of very fine quality. These clocks are also very simple and very elegant. As the value of clocks like this are high many of these type of clocks coming onto the market in recent years are copies. Only buy an early Vienna wall clock from a specialist antique clock dealer. They should give you a money back guarantee that it is genuine and fully restored.

Quality decreases as clocks get more modern

German wall regulators can still be nice clocks. I particularly like the first 10 or 20 years they were made from about C 1860. After C 1880 these clocks become very ornate and the quality tends to decrease. These clocks were made in factories specifically set up to produce them. With the typical German efficiency, lots of these clocks were produced. The value is alot lower than the earlier Austrian handmade examples.

 

How to tell the difference?

I often get asked how do you tell if I have got a German wall regulator or an earlier Austrian example. The easiest way you can tell the difference is that German weight driven wall clocks often have an imitation second hand to the dial. Austrian wall clocks did not normally use this feature, unless the clock could actually beat seconds. A seconds pendulum means the pendulum will need to be about 1 meter long.

Is it a true seconds indicator?

If you timed the period of 1 rotation on a German wall clock of the so called seconds hand, it will take about 40 seconds. It was in effect just a gimmick, put on the dial just for looks. The Austrians were purists and did not do this. An example of a true Austrian Vienna wall clock will a proper seconds hand is pictured above. You will notice the clock is very long. You will also see two examples below.A German wall regulator and an Austrian vienna regulator. See if you can see which one is which from my reasoning above.

Daniel Clements

 

 

 

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Antique Clocks Work in Modern Setting

I have worked in the field of antiques all my life. One specialist sideline I have is in interior design. Interior design is an important part of any home and should be considered before any purchase.

Family Business

I love antiques and it is my belief that an antique grandfather clock should be central to any new interior design project. Antique clocks provide a superb focal point to any room. They add so much character to any room setting. Visit our website for great ideas and choice.

Do antiques work in the modern house or setting?

It is a misnomer that you can not furnish a new home with antiques and that you need an old 18th century house. Antiques fit in any home to compliment the decor. I have designed very modern chrome interior houses and filled them with some special antique items. They work really well together with a few select modern items. Do not think you can not use antiques to furnish a modern designer home. You will be surprised at how well they work in this regard.

Less is More

A few special items can bring a loving lived in feel to your home.

At Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd we can arrange a full interior design service. We provide recommendations and special prices for complete house designs. Please contact me today to ask for more details.

Daniel Clements

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Buying new or antique clocks ?

The question should I buy new or old is normally a no brainer. Clearly for 95% of items buying new is clearly more attractive. The question in relation to clocks is somewhat different.

There are many many reasons why in this instance buying an antique clock from a recognized clock dealer is the correct decision.

Handmade or Machine Made Clocks

1) Clocks generally made prior to C1800 will be handmade. The quality of the movements is generally far better than there new equivalent.

2) Labour costs are increasing ever year and they are considerably more expensive than they were in the 17th and 18th centuries. Buying antique items with intrinsic labour costs built in is a good thing.

3) The skill base in clocks has dramatically decreased over the years. In the 17/18 th centuries etc London was the centre of clockmaking and every little village had its own clockmaker. Today the clockmaking industry is a shadow of its former self.

4) The cabinets are generally far better looking on an antique clock. Veneers on 18th century clocks are clearly hand cut and the finest slow grown timbers are used. Furniture veneers today are generally chisel cut on machines to less than a millimeter thick. Also the finish of antique cabinets has improved with age. The sun and years of waxing gives them a softer more mellow finish. Modern furniture has generally little or no character and usually has a sticky french polish open grain finish.

5) Investment is another key factor and plays a big part in decision making. Although many people keep their antique clocks and hand them down their family trees to the children. (Antique clocks are a great way of reducing capital gains and inheritance tax bills.) For those people that should a rainy day come and they require funds urgently, genuine antique clocks normally increase in value, assuming you keep them in a good condition. Generally modern clocks lose value and depreciate.

Conclusion

The 5 reasons stated above are just a few advantages to buying antique clocks, there is nothing better than owning your little piece of history and a lovely antique clock. Antique clocks have stood the test of time, and with everyone today focusing on green issues, what could be more green. 100% recycled ! Our London shop Pendulum of Mayfair provides an excellent selection to choose from.

Many people will point out that the disadvantage that they are more expensive, this may be true in some instances but you will more than make this up if you come to sell. The increase in value over time of antique clocks has been documented in many books. Don’t delay buy an antique clock today !

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English Antique Dial Clocks

 

In my last post I talked about tavern clocks. These are really the start and a branch of English dial clocks. In this post I would like to focus on the more standard wooden dial clocks or drop dial clocks. These run from about C 1770 to right up until modern day. I will focus up until WWII. High quality fusee wall clock were made for station clocks and post offices etc  up until the advent of radio controlled quartz clocks.

The Act of Parliament in 1797 imposed a tax on clocks and watches. This forced many clock making factories to close or cut back production or swap production to these wall clocks. Many which could escape the tax. When the tax was repealed many factories that swapped over production to dial clocks. They increased production to take advantage of the more favourable conditions.

Large Established Movement Firms

During the 19th century movement factories making fusee movements for these dial clocks were becoming increasingly successful. The later you go through the 19th century more and more movements for these dial clocks are made by larger established firms. It was found increasingly that the clockmaker bought in movements for his clocks during the 19th century and fewer and fewer clocks were made by the clockmaker on the dial. Production had turned to a form of assembly. In fact from the middle of the  19th century onwards more and more clocks were signed by the retailer of the clock and not the actual maker.

Verge Dial Clocks

The earliest round dial wall clocks are very collectible and they are found with silvered brass dials,  verge movements and ‘salt box cases’. It is rare to find these types of clocks. Most dial clocks will be from C 1820 in date and typically the most I see on my travels date from around C1860/80.  These clocks will usually have mahogany cases and anchor escapements. 99% of these clocks will not be striking and have only one train, just for the timekeeping. The dials can either be flat or convex as will be the glass.

Standard 12 inch Dial Clocks

The most popular size for manufacture was 12 inches across the dial, using a flat white painted dial. More collectible dial clocks tend to have 8 inch or 10 inch dials and the very large 18inch dials are also very hard to find. Most of the best spring driven wall clocks throughout the 19th and even 20th centuries will have fusee movements. These are far better movements than the typical French movements made throughout the 19th century. The French may have excelled in design with interesting mystery clocks etc but the British still excelled in the quality of the movements made through this period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wooden Dial Clocks

As I have pointed out the earliest dials were silvered brass dials. Most of the dials produced after C1820 are iron white painted dials, but you will sometimes find a rare example of a wooden dial dial clock like pictured above right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAF SECTOR CLOCKS

During the 20th century dial clocks still had an important role to play in the emerging factories. In the post offices and stations many were used in the UK. RAF sector clocks are very rare and were used during WWII and the Battle of Britain. These wall clocks are very collectible and so be very careful when purchasing. Many have repainted dials and are made to look like original sector clocks. RAF sector clocks commonly had 14 inch dials and movements were generally made by the Elliot company and they were dated. The cases usually had a RAF log on the back and a date as well. The finest examples had fusee movements whereas some cheaper examples had going barrel movements. These sector clocks allowed you to see which squadron was in the air at any one time.

Which Squadron was Flying

There were normally three colours painted to the dial in triangles by the side of the numerals. see picture below. Our London store www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk sometimes has one of these rare antique clocks in stock.

 

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Antique Tavern Clocks

 

Antique tavern clocks have been studied widely and many books have been written. I wish to correct the commonly held view that these clocks started life only as early as C.1720. You may know these antique clocks by another name, they are sometimes called ‘ Act of Parliament’ clocks.

Act of Parliament Clocks

They were later commonly called this as a result of the tax imposed on clocks and watches in July 1797. With the government being short of funds as a result of many years of war, extra ways to increase tax were thought out. The Act imposed a duty of 5 shillings on every clock, 10 shillings of every gold watch and 2s.6d on every silver or other watch. Assessors were sent round to take account of how many clocks you owned above a certain value.

Public Houses Exempt from the Clock Tax

There were certain exemptions to the Act, these included public houses. Alot of these tavern clocks as the name says were housed in public houses. They were exempt from this very unpopular tax. It led to a decline in the clock trade and luckily was repealed after only 9 months of it being in force.

Lacquer and Chinoiserie Decoration

These tavern clocks were usually decorated in lacquer work. They had wooden dials that were made up from usually three sections. They also usually had simple single 5 wheel train movements. The extra wheel in the train generally makes them go for longer than a standard longcase clock, even though they actually have a shorter drop. They usually had brass hands so the time could easily be read against the black painted dial. The earliest dials known were wooden and shaped like a shield. Then later circular dials were introduced and tear drop shapes to the cabinets.

When did they start?

Many books on the subject commonly state the earliest examples of these clocks are from C1720. We have owned for over 10 years, a clock of this form that is pre 1700 in date. It is an amazing tavern clock, it is the only antique clock of this type I have ever seen with an original brass dial, instead of the usual wood form. The antique clock maker is from a family which emigrated to London from Augsburg in Germany. Bushman is a fantastic clock maker and by all accounts the finest clockmaker to come out of Germany! He is mentioned as being on a par with the great Thomas Tompion in some quarters.

 

Augsburg Influence

If I took a picture of the clock minus the hood it looks like a very early Augsburg table clock. I can see where the idea for the manufacture started. I believe this clock to be one of the first, if not the first,  tavern clock. John Bushman is provable in London between 1661 until just after 1692 ( date of death unknown). We do know he came from the Augsburg area, but you can see the influence from the design of the cabinet work on this clock. Bushman was admitted to the Clockmaker’s Company in 1662. You can see the huge pull of this Guild which I have talked about previously. The best clockmakers from all over Europe came to London. Everyone wanted to come to London and work in the 17th and 18th centuries. It truly was the centre for clock making in the world at the time.

Many people will ask if this clock has 5 wheel train, how does it have a second hand, a sweep centre seconds hand in this case. The movement has a one to one reversing wheel to enable for it to do this. You can see the amazing engraving to the unusual dial and superb unrestored lacquer work to the case. A very rare collectors clock, for more information please contact me direct.

 

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Antique Clock Cabinet Restoration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this blog I wish to talk about the process of sympathetic restoration of a C.1770 antique bracket clock. I will show you the time consuming process that is generally carried out on most 18th century antique clocks at some part in their life.

Sympathetic Restoration Antiques

Sympathetic restoration done professionally is essential. It can literally transform a clock into a wonderful piece of art and bring it back to life. Restoration done poorly or done by an unqualified person can literally destroy the value of a clock.

Difference between Restoration Done Properly and Done Poorly

I also hope you can understand the difference in price of buying an unrestored antique clock from an auction and a carefully sympathetically restored guaranteed example from a respected antique clock dealer. Restoring an antique clock from what we call a ‘sleepy’ state to ‘showroom’ condition takes time. In today’s world labour costs are expensive and as a result can be costly.

How long does it take Restoration Done Properly ?

Restoration taking some 10/15 working days on a cabinet and 5 working days on any antique clock movement are very typical. 20 working days, nearly a month of a highly skilled persons wages, costs alot of money. Some clocks may not need as much work, maybe this will have been carried out at some time in the past, but how well has this been done?

Over Restored Items

On the antiques market there are lots of over restored items. I have seen examples that just make you want to shake your head, sticky french polish and open grain wood.

Antiques Sometimes Ruined

These are not beautiful antiques anymore. Our cabinet restorers have worked with us from school, they have about 20 years experience and have proper in house training. The antique clocks director of a major auction house once stated, ” no one in his opinion restores their antiques as sympathetically.”  The restoration process is a slow labour intensive process, it can not be rushed and corners must not be cut. Clocks or antique furniture do not leave our workshop until the owner himself is happy.

Some Examples of Restoration

Below are a series of pictures detailing the transformation of a bracket clock from a tired somewhat distressed state,  into a beautiful loving cared for example. This clock will now give many years joy to its new owners. Finding clock is such a ‘sleepy’ state is far better I it means they have not be ‘butchered’ by over enthusiastic workmen in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of Intricate Repairs

As you can see in the above pictures where mouldings or pieces are loose these need to be removed and adjusted/repaired and then refitted with animal glues. Animal glues are what 18th century cabinet makers used. They have a superb property that when heated they become unstuck and so repairs to veneers or mouldings can be carried out.  If modern pva wood glues were used to clock sections, repairs would have been more difficult.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see all loose veneers on clock or damaged sections need to be removed and either replaced by wood of the same age and then carved to shape by hand or simply re-glued with animal glue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further pictures from a painstaking restoration to a beautiful C.1770 antique bracket clock. A clock might look immaculate as in the top picture prior to restoration but generally many weeks work are required to bring any clock into proper showroom condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All repairs can only be done when cabinet is structurally sound. Animal glue over many years can become brittle and mouldings can become loose or have been stuck on incorrectly over years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Structural repairs to clock are now nearly complete. From now on, the clock will start looking like a clock again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repairs carried out, done properly with wood of the correct flame and age, are unnoticeable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antique bracket clock restoration perfectly carried out by an experienced cabinet restoration specialist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finished clock minus frets to door that need to be fitted. A transformation that is time consuming and can only be carried out be a fully qualified experienced cabinet restorer. For any futher information on antique clock restoration please contact me directly, I will be happy to help. Later in the year I will write on antique clock movement restoration. Please subscribe to my rss feed to received regular information. Pendulum of Mayfair can provide a full antique clock repair service, for more information visit www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk.

 

Daniel R Clements

 

 

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Moonphase Antique Clocks

Moonphase Clock With Tidal Times

We often get asked about moon phase grandfather clocks. Were they just a form of decoration or were they an important feature on clocks? The lunar moon repeats with a cycle of 29.5 days. This is shown on all antique clocks with a moon feature as a result the moon disc moves once or twice per day.

Moon Disc Use On Clocks

On early pre C.1800 examples they certainly were more of a feature that the owner required for a specific purpose. That purpose was first and foremost travel, whether you would be travelling by ship or travelling by road. Knowing when the next full moon was vital part of life back in the 18th century. A merchant might live near the coast and need to know when the next high tide was. This feature will also be accompanied by a moon disc and he could look at his clock. On that day it would say the high tide would be 7am /7pm etc.

Stationary or Fixed High Tide Indicator on clocks

Tidal times are sometimes stationary. i.e. set to the port of the clock. Bristol Key etc or variable by an indicator to the arch which can be set to your local port, high tide time.

On an 18th century antique clock, a moon disc can either be a  circular disc to the arch or a globe moon to the arch, sometimes called a ‘Halifax Moon’. They also could be, or a small ‘penny moon’ normally to the dial centre. This is where the seconds disc normally would be. Clocks with moon discs and not accompanied with high tide indicators were for help when travelling by road.

Highwayman Higgins

The highwayman was always a risk for the merchant in the 18th century. Tt was always advisable to travel on days with the full moon and lots of light. Generally the highwayman did not work on such nights They were more likely to be recognised. The most famous of northern highwayman was a Edward ‘Highwayman’ Higgins, who was a gentleman by day and a thief by night. He resided on Gaskell Avenue in Knutsford. This is only 5 miles from where our antique clock workshop is based. Higgins was hanged for his crimes in 1767.

London longcase clocks with moon features are very collectible as London had street lighting in the 18th century. Also the arches on London clocks are slightly reduced and not a full semi-circle. They were not really designed for moons.  On provincial clocks you will notice the arch is a full semi-circle and alot more suited to a moon disc. It is for that reason finding a genuine London 18th century clock with a moon is highly sought after. Adding this feature to an 18th century London grandfather clock, can add up to £5,000 to the price on an equivalent clock.

Conclusion

I have been talking above about pre C.1800 clocks and clocks where the dials are 12 inches from side to side or less. Later clocks with dials of 13 inches or even larger are more likely to have moons and are not quite so rare. Clearly lots of later 19th century wider examples can have moons. These are more common and the moon disc on these is more for a form of decoration in my opinion than for any other purpose. We stock a few good examples at Pendulum of Mayfair of moon-phase clocks.

Pictures of different styles of moon dials below

Moonphase feature to square dialstandard moonphase C.1790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

penny moon clock