Antique Bracket Clocks

Clocks & Watches — By admin on June 8, 2010 at 7:07 am

Antique bracket clocks are highly regarded as the hallmark of English clock-making. These spring-driven pendulum clocks, are often seen housed in a rectangular case with a carrying handle on top. Although the earliest ones were developed in Holland, it was the British that brought this form of clock to its peak.

The bracket clock got its name as it was designed to stand on wall brackets, with some clocks having wall brackets included along with it. However, not all “bracket” clocks stood on wall brackets. In fact, most stood on pieces of furniture like tables, desks and sideboards and were known initially simply as spring clocks. Clocks of this type were also used tor tables and mantlepieces. Nowadays the term is used to describe all clocks with short pendulums and spring-driven mechanisms. These clocks are also sometimes called “mantel clocks” or “table clocks”.

Bracket clocks were made from c.1660, the earliest with square brass dials; by the beginning of the 18th century, arched dials became more common. Among the most often seen British bracket clocks are those with mahogany veneered cases.

Most 18th-century bracket clocks originally had verge escapements, many of which were converted in the 1800s to anchor escapements with heavier, slower, pendulums. 20th-century taste has dictated that these should be reconverted to verge escapements, but original verge escapements are always
more desirable.

Case styles
At first, like longcases, bracket clocks were severely architectural, but by 1675 they had become a simple plinth-shaped box surmounted by a dome of evolving shape. This was at first cushion moulded (known as a caddy, or basket, top); a small concave curved section was added from c. 1715-25, giving an ogee outline (the inverted bell top). These curves were reversed by 1760, resulting in the bell top. Break-arch cases were current from the 1760s; lancet shapes and “chamber tops”, with a roof-like slope to all four sides, were popular from Regency times.

Regency Clocks
You can recognize a bracket clock made in the Regency period, as it will usually have a convex dial signed by its maker, simple hands made from brass or blued steel, and a mahogany or rosewood
case.

Clock-Makers
The value o f a clock is greatly increased if it’s signed by a famous maker. The dial and backplate of this clock (right) are signed by Thomas Tompion, one of the most famous English clockmakers, known as the “father o f English clockmaking”, making it worth over £100,000+! Other famous names include the Knibb brothers and Edward East.

Clock Care
• Carefully dust and wax wooden cases.
• Never attempt to clean brass or silvered dials.
• Ask an expert to oil and clean the clock’s mechanism.
• Hold clocks upright if you are moving them from one room to another.
• Secure or remove the pendulum before a long journey.

Cases
Both elaborate and simple cases were made from mahogany. The six illustrations below show some of the more elaborate varieties.

History Of The Bracket Clock

The introduction of the pendulum to England in 1659 led directly to the evolution of longcase and bracket clocks. The cases of the clocks were wooden, the wheels of the movement were framed in
vertical plates, and clocks normally ran for 8 days.

In contrast to longcase clocks, ebony, then ebonized, cases for bracket clocks continued to be made in equal numbers to walnut, mahogany and other finishes. While some lacquer or japanned bracket clocks were made in the 1700s, few marquetry examples were produced.

As with longcase clocks, the change from walnut to mahogany took place c.1750, and from the 1760s fashions in case materials closely followed those of furniture. In England, bracket clocks were made mainly in London; although there were a few centers of manufacture outside the capital, most of those signed for a country maker were only retailed in the provinces.

Large numbers were produced from the late 18th and early 19th century, mainly in London. Also frequently seen are French 19th century clocks, which were made in a wide variety of shapes. Many of these incorporate such lavish decoration that you may need to take a second look before you realize they’re clocks at all. They can be identified by their ebony, walnut or even olivewood veneered cases and elaborately decorated square dials.

Antique bracket clocks can be a great start for new antique clock collectors as it is cheaper and more affordable as compared to larger clocks like the longcase or grandfather clocks.

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