Antique Wall Clocks

Summary of antique wall clocks

The most popular style of English antique wall clock is the Fusee dial clock often referred to as a school, office or railway clock.

History of Antique Wall Clocks

The most popular style of English wall clock is the fusee dial clock often referred to as a school, office or railway clock because of where people may have seen them and thus associate them with. The dial clock was however a very fine quality domestic wall clock with examples made by all the important makers of the period from the styles emergence in the 1770s.

The fusee mentioned is the tapered cone in the movement which is designed to even out the power of the mainspring. Although the fusee involved extra work and materials their successfulness has been debated and the inclusion of a fusee cannot be seen as a sign of a good dial clock as they were used on all dial clocks well into the twentieth century, they do however indicate the clock is almost certainly English.

The earliest indigenous English clock is the lantern clock made from the early 1600's, the first examples being pre-pendulum, of 12 hour duration and weight driven. The lantern clock features despite still looking similar, (wall mounted, predominately made of brass and shaped like a lantern with a bell on top) developed at a varying pace through the ever changing and sometimes turbulent 17th century. By the time of Charles 2nd the movement now incoporated a pendulum instead of a balance wheel and although still made by the very best makers the clock was less prestigious compared to the longcase and bracket clocks.

Other English wall clocks include the cartel and tavern clock both seen as the predecessors of the dial clock. The cartel is distinguished by it's carved wood and gilt case, the movement spring driven with a verge escapement. The tavern clock is a larger weight driven clock usually in a lacquered case decorated with chinoiserie. Called tavern clocks because their size lent them to use in public spaces they are sometimes referred to as Act of Parliament clocks because of the nearly disastrous tax applied to clocks in 1797, a misnomer as the clock had been developing as a style for nearly fifty years.

Another English weight driven wall clock are a smaller hooded version of the 30hr longcase but can be very attractive with weights and pendulum exposed. The movements owe much in construction and layout to earlier lantern clock

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  • Dutton Wall Clock

    Smith Wall Clock

    Two train cartel clock striking on a bell. Signed William Smith, London. Circa 1760.

  • Dutton Wall Clock

    Dutton Wall Clock

    Fine quality eight day fusee wall clock signed Dutton, Fleet Street.

  • Evans Salop Wall Clock

    Evans Salop Wall Clock

    Evans Salop Wall Clock
  • H & Moore Wall Clock

    Handley & Moore Wall Clock

    English fusee dial clock signed Handley & Moore

    Handley & Moore Wall Clock
  • James Tupman Dial Clock

    James Tupman Dial Clock

    James Tupman Dial Clock
  • Mauriss Wall Clock

    William Mauriss Wall Clock

    Tavern clock by William Mauriss of Yarmouth. Circa 1780.

    Mauriss Wall Clock
  • Vienna Strike Wall Clock

    Vienna Wall Clock

    Fine Biedermeier Viennese timepiece wall clock. Circa 1825.

  • Vienna Wall Clock

    Vienna Strike Wall Clock

    Vienna wall clocks are often referred to as "Vienna regulators" in the Unted States.

  • William Wilson Dial Clock

    William Wilson Dial Clock

    A high quality antique wall clock by the prestigious William Wilson.