| Antique collecting is the assembling of items of | | | | makes. The décor of a home is complete |
| aesthetic, historical or monetary values from earlier | | | | when adorned with a fine gift of time, a clock. Clocks |
| eras. | | | | are sold in all budgets from modest pieces with little |
| How old does an antique have to be to be | | | | decoration to clocks with moving parts and works of |
| considered an antique? | | | | art that can occupy an entire wall or table. |
| Legally and traditionally, an antique is usually defined | | | | Why do they last so long? |
| as an object over 100 years old. In the history of | | | | With proper care and maintenance, a clock can keep |
| clocks and time-keeping, one of the earliest clocks | | | | perfect time for many years. |
| was driven by water . Most early mechanical clocks | | | | How well do antique clocks hold their value? |
| were driven by the fall of weights. The first | | | | A clockmaker guide can help identify the maker of a |
| mechanical clocks only indicated time by sounding a | | | | clock. The signature on the clock can help indicate |
| bell each hour. | | | | when the clock was made. The physical appearance |
| During the 20th century, clocks as well as many | | | | of a mantle clock, grandfather clock, cuckoo clock, or |
| other objects became desirable collector items of the | | | | wall clock, is an important factor in estimating the |
| past. With the growth of interest in antique clocks, | | | | value of a clock. Clocks that have the original |
| an expertise in historical styles, construction styles | | | | elements, which have never been restored and are |
| and methods for the care and identification of clocks, | | | | clean clocks, have a greater value than those in poor |
| as well as other objects has developed. Grandfather | | | | condition or have been altered. A clock with the |
| clocks are among the most appealing of all clocks. | | | | makers label or signature intact, and a clock with its |
| Most were made in England between the late 17th | | | | original glass and decorative elements can all increase |
| and 19th centuries, although lesser numbers were | | | | the value of a clock. The value of the clock can |
| also produced in Europe and America. Although some | | | | often be determined using the above guides along |
| exceptions exist, the two basic types of grandfather | | | | with a clockmaker guide. To determine when a clock |
| clocks are 8 day and 30 hour clocks. In collecting | | | | was made might prove to be a difficult task. Some |
| antique grandfather clocks, the 8 day is the more | | | | have a signature located on the movement of the |
| elaborate of the two types. | | | | clock dial. Relying on the signature however may be |
| Have clocks become family heirlooms? | | | | deceiving. Sometimes the signature is the name of |
| Emotional factors, such as belonging to a family | | | | the distributor rather than the clockmaker. |
| member or if the clock can be proven to have | | | | Sometimes signatures are added to give an |
| belonged to a celebrity or someone of historical | | | | appearance of age and value. A clockmaker guide |
| importance, may make the clock more desirable. | | | | can help identify the maker of a clock. The signature |
| Clocks hold their intrinsic value as it is passed along | | | | on the clock can help identify when the clock was |
| by family members. Touch the smooth fine wood of | | | | made. All of the above can help in determining the |
| the clock, listen to the melodious chimes or sounds it | | | | value of a clock. |