Antique Collection

Not all “bracket” clocks stood on wall brackets. Clocks of this type were also used for tables and mantelpieces. Nowadays the term is used to describe all clocks with short pendulums and spring-driven mechanisms. These clocks are also sometimes called “mantel clocks” or “table clocks“.

Perhaps because of their homely appearance and reassuring “tick-tock”, longcases, popularly known as “grandfather” clocks, are among the most appealing of all antique clocks. Most longcases were made in England from the late 17th-19th centuries, although lesser numbers were also produced in Europe and America. The standard long- case runs for 8 days and has [...]

Few people today would think of packing a carriage clock when they go on a journey, even though, as one of the earliest types of travelling clock, this is what they were made for. Carriage clocks usually have brass cases and were fitted with handles so they could be more easily carried — hence their [...]

Novelty clocks, which tell the time in a particularly unusual or intriguing way, are among the most fascinating of all clocks. Most of those seen today date from the 19th century when they were produced by French, Swiss and English makers.

The illustration opposite shows a fine mahogany long- case clock by Matthew Dutton, London, circa 1785. It has an eight day movement and subsidiary calendar in a well finished mahogany case. Matthew Dutton was admitted to the clockmaker’s company in 1779. It is rare to find timepieces of this quality in South Africa, but Victorian [...]

A look into the social conditions of a particular age can sometimes give us a better understanding or its products.
The Victorians were a serious people and believed in hard work. Their prodigious engineering feats have never been equalled considering their resources. Their military arrogance was insufferable, their characters were diverse. In this period we had [...]

A fine mahogany long- case clock by Matthew Dutton, London, circa 1785. It has an eight day movement and subsidiary calendar in a well finished mahogany case. Matthew Dutton was admitted to the clockmaker’s company in 1779. It is rare to find timepieces of this quality in South Africa, but Victorian longcase clocks have always [...]

MANTEL CLOCKS, THE MOST HIGHLY DECORATIVE OF ALL CLOCKS, ARE OFTEN REGARDED SIMPLY AS ORNAMENTAL OBJECTS THAT INCIDENTALLY TELL THE TIME. THEIR OWNERS ARE LESS CONCERNED WHEN THEY FAIL MECHANICALLY THAN THEY WOULD BE WITH OTHER CLOCKS.
Mantel clocks were first developed around 1735 in France during the reign of King Louis XV when it became [...]

Bracket clocks are the spring-driven counterparts to the weight-driven tallcase clocks, like miniaturized versions of the hood and movement, but constructed as fully assembled units. They can be transported whole if kept upright, but the pendulum must be removed if no clip or screw clamp is present to secure it. To do this, wedge the [...]

Tiles and Plaques
As early as the Middle Ages, decorative flooring was being created in Britain by stamping designs into partially dried coarse brown clay tiles and filling in the impression with cream slip prior to firing and glazing. Glazed wall tiles have an even longer history in Moorish and Turkish palaces and mosques, where their [...]