Categories


News

Longcase/Grandfather Clock

Freestanding weight-driven pendulum clocks, known as longcase or grandfather clocks, were borne out of technological breakthroughs in horology in the late 1650s. The use of the pendulum and the invention of the anchor escapement made clocks more accurate, more elaborate and easier to maintain.

First used by the Dutch clockmaker Christiaan Huygens in 1656, the pendulum made for near frictionless time-keeping, while it was the anchor mechanism (probably invented around the same time by British scientist Robert Hooke) reduced the swing and improved accuracy. Today, longcase clocks remain a popular collecting area with celebrated makers like Ahasuerus Fromanteel, Thomas Tompion, George Graham, the Knibb family, Joseph Windmills and John Ellicott in high demand.

Read ATG's detailed guide to longcase clocks here


img_87-1.jpg

Best of British: Bullock longcase on offer in Heidelberg

17 June 2024

If proof were needed that regional British clockmakers were as capable of making impressive works as those of London colleagues, then an 18th century longcase clock being sold by Metz on July 19-20 in Heidelberg without reserve, provides it.

img_14-1.jpg

Clocks: Time for a folk tale

09 October 2023

Nineteenth century English clock adorned with Dick Whittington designs leads a look at horological hammer highlights and previews

img_15-1.jpg

Bring on the Clowes

09 October 2023

James Clowes (c.1643-1705), who was born in Astbury, Cheshire, became a Free Brother of The Clockmakers Company in 1671 – the same year as Thomas Tompion, Joseph Knibb, Daniel Quare and Joseph Windmills. He worked first in St Giles in the Fields and then at Saint Ann’s Blackfriars.

img_14-2.jpg

Corbels count as an unusual feature

09 October 2023

This Queen Anne period marquetry longcase featured in a sale of furniture, works of art and clocks held by Woolley & Wallis (26/20% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury from October 4-5.

img_32-2.jpg

Six Joseph Knibb clocks star in a stellar collection

15 May 2023

This eight-day walnut longcase clock is one of six by Joseph Knibb in a 16-piece collection on offer from dealer Ben Wright.

img_16-4.jpg

Telling the time in Newcastle and Edinburgh

10 January 2022

The December 1-2 Country House & Fine Interiors sale at Anderson & Garland (22% buyer’s premium) in Newcastle included a late 17th century walnut longcase clock by local maker William Prevost.

img_4-1.jpg

Export stop for Fromanteel’s £3m longcase

20 December 2021

The UK government has issued a temporary export bar for a Fromanteel longcase clock dating to c.1660.

img_14-1.jpg

Edinburgh rarity clocks in at £36,000

27 September 2021

Edinburgh-made clocks that predate 1700 are rare.

img_35-1.jpg

Cambridgeshire dealer spots clock and table sleepers at auctions

30 August 2021

A rare early 18th century folding table and a William III clock were spotted at recent auctions by a Cambridgeshire dealer.

img_14-4.jpg

Joseph Knibb: the pinnacle of technology

14 June 2021

The first clocks represented the pinnacle of English technology and often lead the way in fashion.

img_15-2.jpg

Daniel Quare walnut longcase on show at Howard Walwyn

14 June 2021

This walnut longcase, c.1710, by Daniel Quare (1648/49-1724) with a month duration movement is priced at £95,000 by Howard Walwyn.

img_21-1.jpg

Estate of Turpin Antiques dealer stands up and delivers

15 February 2021

A recent Reeman Dansie sale in Colchester included 80 pieces from the estate of the well-known dealer Jane Sumner, who died last September at the age of 82.

img_20-1.jpg

Golden Age longcase underlines long and lucrative career of great London clockmaker

20 July 2020

The maxim that major names and top quality will always sell was underlined in the biannual specialist clocks sale at Dreweatts (25% buyer’s premium).

img_20-4.jpg

Walnut longcase clock signed for Golden Age maker sparks bidding in Yorkshire

04 May 2020

Estimated at just £1000-1500, this late-17th century walnut eight-day longcase clock sold via thesaleroom.com for £11,000 at Elstob & Elstob (22% buyer’s premium) in Ripon.

Longcase clock by Henry Jones

17th century longcase clock and first English edition of Moomin book are among four auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes

24 April 2020

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a 17th century walnut longcase clock by London maker Henry Jones that made over seven-times estimate.

img_1-1.jpg

Pick of the week: Pastiche clock is the real deal for buyer

20 April 2020

This monumental English longcase clock sold in a Massachusetts auction is a remarkable exercise in antiquarianism.

img_15-3.jpg

English Golden Age longcase clock fails to meet great expectations

03 February 2020

Falling short of ambitious hopes but leading the day at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) first sale of 2020 was a fine English Golden Age longcase clock.

img_5-2.jpg

Seasonal good cheer for BADA specialists after strong sales

16 December 2019

Two leading BADA members have reported strong sales to close out the year.

img_19-4.jpg

Wolley winds up to £4800

18 November 2019

Most regionally made Georgian oak longcase clocks can now be bought for under £500 but this example is by a highly regarded and collectable maker: John Wolley or Woolley (c.1738-95) of Codnor, Derbyshire.

img_19-4.jpg

Longcase clock by Thomas Mudge gives a nudge in new direction

10 June 2019

A mahogany longcase clock by Thomas Mudge (1715-94) is priced at £45,000 from Cheltenham dealer Tobias Birch.