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 [...]

A layer of dark oxide will form easily on a pewter surface as a result of chemical pollutants in the atmosphere, especially in our cities. Both public and private collectors have sought to prevent such oxidization by covering the freshly cleaned surface with a thin film of transparent lacquer, but they have found that a [...]

A well known and highly respected gentleman of the district has passed away quietly in his sleep. The grieving widow now approaches the auctioneer, informs him of the fact and asks him to sell the contents of her home, as she is now moving to a small flat. After much commiseration he gets down to [...]

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 [...]

The collectors of early brass objects encounter many problems. They have to wade their way through oceans of reproductions and clever forgeries to find what they are really looking for. Many are seeking specific objects such as antique horse brasses, candlesticks or wall plaques.
Horse brasses were first produced in ancient times in many oriental countries. [...]

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 [...]

At the beginning of the 19th century a tax of one shilling and sixpence was levied on an ounce of silver. In those days that was a fair sum of money. This resulted in a much wider use of Sheffield plate, a process developed by Thomas Bolsover in 1743. The process consisted of hammering, rubbing [...]