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Tall Case Clocks
Clock Centers
Shaping the Tall Case
Tall Case Clock Movements
Dials: The Face of Tall Case Clocks
Contemporary Collectors
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Tall Case Clocks
The tall case clock experienced its golden age in Baroque England from circa 1660 to 1700. First made for the monarchy, early tall case clocks were constructed with architectural proportions in mind.
Clock Centers
Initially, tall case clocks were imported to the American colonies from England, but
clock making centers emerged in several colonies including New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Symbolizing an owner's status within the community, tall case clocks were found in the most well-to-do homes in 18th Century America. This interest continues today.
Shaping the Tall Case
Characterized by its narrow pendulum cabinet body and a portico shaped bonnet or hood to protect the works, early clockmakers and cabinetmakers sparked the development of a new taste for decorative tall case clocks worldwide. Originally, the hood of a clock was added to keep dust and dirt from the clock's movement while the slender pendulum case was added later.
Tall Case Clock Movements
Typically made of brass, the movements on most tall case clocks ran for eight days. Until about 1845, American clocks were similar to their English counterparts in that they struck on the hour only. In the middle of the 19th century, American clockmakers began to make clocks that struck on the half hour mark as well.
Dials: The Face of Tall Case Clocks
From 1600 to circa 1740, dials on most tall case clocks were 10 inches square. Made of brass, with spandrels of pierced brass, the numbers on the clock's dial were presented on a silvered chapter ring. By the mid 1700s, the arched clock dial was introduced including the popular moon phases designed in the lunette or crescent pattern along with the clockmaker's name. A painted dial and Arabic numerals appeared later, around 1780, on most tall case clocks. This change to the face of the clock replaced a century old tradition of using brass dials.
Contemporary Collectors
Collectors look for value in the beauty of the carvings of the a tall case or grandfather clock. They look for the accuracy and integrity of the works and for beauty and ability in the painted or pierced brass dial or face. With values into the $100,000s range, most tall case owners investigate insuring their family's tall case clocks.
Dr. Lori
Director
Masterpiece Technologies Inc.
