Antique Clocks - Will Prices Continue To Rise? Only Time Will Tell

Those who are experts in the field of antique clocks will perhaps refer to a specific type of clock by different name if it is in a different area and people may sometimes be bamboozled by this. For instance in the UK something that would be familiar to people as a 'bracket clock' might be known as a 'mantle clock' by an antique dealer in the United States.

The main categories of antique clocks can also be further broken down into subcategories. For instance, within the broad category of "Beehive" clocks there may also be found subcategories such as a "Gothic" beehive or a "Ripple" beehive. Some may the subdivide the broad category of "Drop trunk" clocks into finer distinctions, such as "Schoolhouse" clocks, "Act of Parliament" clocks, "Wall regulators", "Tavern" clocks, "Short drop", "Octagon drop", and so forth.

Advertising clocks is a collective term used for clocks for promotional reasons which show advertising somewhere on the clock case or dial. The clock may also be used as a portion of the advertising, such as when a clock is integrated into a bigger sign. Most often found as shelf or wall clocks, or more rarely as Long-case or 'Grandfather' clocks, these are wonderful antique wall clocks.

Mankind has long recognized the passage of time and tried to take its measure and record the passage. The simple alarm clock on the nightstand owes its presence to more than six thousand years of pondering time and working with devices that will mark its passage accurately.

Invented in the latter part of the thirteenth century, most likely by monks living in central Europe, the earliest mechanical clocks had no pendulums and were situated inside churches. They sounded bells hourly but did not have dials or hands.

Clocks were originally placed in the church belfry to utilize the church bell. These iron clocks were created by local blacksmiths and were very heavy and large. It took more than a century before a clock as we know it was invented, one with hands and dials. By early in the fifteen century, small clocks for home use became available which were likely fashioned by gunsmiths or locksmiths. These early antique clocks are very valuable.

The Antique Clocks Shoppe features a wide variety of antique clocks, Mantle clocks, antique wall clocks, and other vintage clocks. Be sure to check out our antique clock blog and antique clock videos!

- Daniel Wright