Yes, you can have a very nice digital clock by your bedside that will play the radio when you wake up, the digital numbers glow with your favorite colors and it will even play music for you with a timer until you are asleep. That is fine, but there is absolutely nothing like the gentle sound of a chime or bell coming from the living room telling you not only what the time is, but in a soft, musical and soothing way. This is the antique clock.
It was not so many years ago that digital clocks did not exist. The "grandfather "or "long case" clock was more the norm than was the bedside alarm clock. Now of course this grandfather clock has become an antique clock, fit to be enjoyed and treasured for lifetimes.
An antique clock is unusual in the world of antiques in that it is a working piece of art, or should be in order to get the most enjoyment and value. I would definitely think twice about attempting to buy a clock that is not working and expect that it will be easy to get it up and running. It may be neither easy or indeed possible. Often it takes a skilled clock maker to repair a clock and it is usually not cheap.That being said, perhaps you may get a better deal on a non-working clock if you know someone to repair it or can do it yourself.
The antique clock is primarily a timepiece after all. I have had the pleasure to have owned some and been in homes that had them and I can personally attest to the soothing feeling mentioned previously that comes from the hour on the hour ( or even half hour) chime or bell in the middle of the night. To me it is somewhat like a fog horn, lonesome and soothing at the same time.
In earlier times the grandfather clock was ever present and homes had very high ceilings. If this is one you are considering, make sure you know the dimensions of both the entrance to your home as well as the actual ceiling height. It would be a shame to purchase an antique clock and not be able to stand it upright!
Secondarily the antique clock is furniture. It graces your home in a particular way with its mahogany case and brass clock face.The longcase or grandfather clock was originally evolved from a pendulum clock that hung on the wall, the case being added to enclose the pendulum. Since this time the grandfather clock has become an art form in itself and very desirable to collectors. As you know with any furniture, in addition to the clock mechanism, there are many factors which determine its value and desirability; specifically age, quality and condition. It may surprise you to know that superior clocks of this type from the late 17th or early 18th century may be valued at $500,000.00.
Pendulum clocks are wound with a key to keep the tension on the movement and enable it to keep time. There are two types of movements, 8 day and 30 hour. This means that this is the interval at which they must be wound in order not to lose time or run down completely. The 8 day clocks have a weight which drives the pendulum and one which drives the bell or chime. These clocks have keyholes on either side of the dial to wind each one. Some clocks also came with the added feature of having a moon dial or a tidal dial for local tidal times.
Most clocks have not survived the ravages of time with out repair or in some case deliberate alteration in order to make it appear more desirable. Adding an 8 day movement where there was none originally or replacing or adding ornaments where the original is broken off or never existed. Detecting this sort of alteration is best left to the expert. If you feel there is something odd about the clock you are considering, you may save yourself a considerable amount of time and money to consult a professional to evaluate your antique clock.
There are many types of antique clocks, and price range varies greatly depending on the age, the quality, the materials used, the "brand" or manufacturer, the type of clock and other factors. Antique clocks range from simple design to ornate victorian, and can be made of wood, brass or porcelain.
Because they were generally made by hand individually, no two antique clocks are exactly alike. That is the element that I like most.
This article will examine the various types of clocks that are available and provide some basic price ranges that you can expect to pay.
- Grandfather clocks - These are the most stately of antique clocks and totally define a room if properly placed. The elegance and robustness of their chimes make grandfather clocks one of the most sought after antique clocks. Prices for grandfather clocks range from $300 - $10,000+ depending on quality and brand name.
- Wall clocks - Antique wall clocks are one of my favorite types of antique clocks. Their simple elegance was definitely more utlitarian than some other types, as their design was very simple - make it easy to tell time from a distace. Most antique wall clocks were circular, and made of heavy oak or walnut wood. Prices for antique wall clocks range from $200 - $1000.
- Empire clocks - Empire clocks are my favorite. I previously had a very nice empire clock and it was a large, masculine and beautiful antique clock. Some empire clocks are very ornate with their painted glass fronts, and range from $500 - $2000.
- Mantle Clocks - Antique mantle clocks were simple time pieces that set in the family room, on the mantle of the fireplace. Think of mantle clocks (also known as mantel clocks) as the "everyday" clock. These simple clocks could also be ornate, especially some of the porcelain variety. Prices range from $200 - $500.
- Kitchen clocks - Antique kitchen clocks were also utilitarian in nature, although some were ornate with scrolls and gingerbread. Typically made out of oak, antique kitchen clocks had their place on a table or mantle in the kitchen (hence the name). Prices range from $200 - $500.
- Regulator clocks - Antique regulator clocks were typically found in business places, and provided a rich look. Generally larger than most antique clocks, regulator clocks offered wood and glass, and could be ornate, though most were pretty basic design. A quality antique regulator clock will price between $500 - $1500.
- Cuckoo clocks - Perhaps everyone's favorites, antique cuckoo clocks were engineering excellence in a time of hand-crafted wood making. The clock movements that were required to make the cuckoo work were really pretty amazing if you consider what was involved. Prices for cuckoo clocks vary greatly, depending on quality, style, brand, and materials. Prices range from $200 - $2000.
- Banjo clocks - Antique banjo clocks were somewhat whimsical in nature. However their simple design is what made them so appealing. You can find many different variations of antique banjo clocks, and they typically price between $200 - $500.
By the way, one other benefit of antique clocks, is that unlike most things you purchase, they go up in value. The longer you keep them, the more they are worth. That's a hard deal to pass up.
Both Bill Kernodle & Rob Brown are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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