Dating Antique Clocks
can be an exact science providing you have the right index books
and the proper experience.
However, various little things can help when dating antique clocks.
Like knowing when certain features were introduced or certain materials
became available. Simple things that can point you in the right
direction and at the correct period for your antique wall clock,
advertising clock or .
The Antique Clock hands and dial :
c1663 - minute hands were introduced
to longcase clocks.
c1775 - matching minute and hour
hands were introduced; Although antique clocks were produced with
only hour hands until around 1820.
c1780 - second hands began to be
added to longcase clock dials.
c1785 - dots in the minute rings
of brass dials were added
c1745 - phases of the moon were introduced
on clock dials .
c1792 - paper clock dials were introduced
and applied to a wooden or metal backing.
c1800 - painted dials came into general
use on clock faces.
Signatures on an antique clocks dial or movement can sometimes
help to date a clock if you can find the clockmakers name and the
date of activity listed in one of the many guides to watch and clockmakers.
However, a signature may refer to someone other than the clockmaker.
19th century retailers and distributors often put their own names
on clocks as an attempt to brand their product.
The actual clock movement may have been made by someone else, as
until the 19th century clock cases were almost always made separately
from the movement and were rarely signed.
And, of course, a signature may be fraudulently added as an attempt
to enhance the clocks value.
The Antique Clock Case
and movement :
c1836 - gold electroplating was
introduced and became popular within a few years. It provided a
safe alternative to the hazardous use of mercury in gilding metals,
which was banned c1799.
c1660 - calendar movements were
introduced to English longcase clocks. The first American patent
issued for a calendar movement was in 1853. 
c1806 - machine made wood screws
were introduced in France as early as 1806.
c1800 - reverse-painted glass tablets
date from the early 1800's.
c1820 - wooden movements were generally
used in early American shelf clocks until around 1820. Up until
then hand cast and finished brass movements were very expensive.
Chauncy Jerome began manufacturing cheap 30-hour brass movements
in the 1830’s; by the early 1840’s brass movements virtually
replaced wooden ones.
c1840 - coiled wire gongs were used
in English bracket (shelf) clocks.
c1890 - chime bars, also called
chime rods, were introduced to clocks. They are metal rods specially
tuned to produce a sequence of chime notes when struck by the movement's
chime hammers.
c1869 - celluloid was patented.
Adamantine celluloid veneer was patented in 1880.
c1882 - Seth thomas introduced clock
models in Adamantine veneer finishes which mimicked marble, slate,
wood grains and other materials.
c1910 - Bakelite an early inflammable,
mouldable plastic, was invented. Belgian born scientist Dr. Leo
Baekeland, founded the Bakelite Corporation around 1910. It reached
its height of popularity in the 1930's and 40's and was used in
a wide variety of consumer products.
c1896 - marking the country of origin
was required on clocks imported into the United States; e.g. Made
in England or England, Made in France, France, etc.
c1901 - saw the introduction of
the Anniversary trademark on 400-Day clocks.
c1905 - Plywood was first used.
Now you have some good information, check our antique
clocks for sale section.
|
