Antique Clock Types: An Illustrated Glossary

Collective term for clocks used for promotional purposes that display advertising somewhere on the clock dial or case. The clock might also be used as part of the advertising itself, as when a clock is incorporated into a larger sign or display.

Most commonly found as wall clocks or shelf clocks; more rarely as longcase or 'grandfather' clocks. American advertising clocks are particularly collectible, with models by Baird, Gilbert, and Seth Thomas among the most sought-after.

So called because their mainsprings, when fully wound, run for approximately 400 days — long enough to need winding only once per year, traditionally on an anniversary. Also known as "year clocks" or "torsion pendulum clocks."

These clocks use a torsion pendulum — a weighted disc or balls suspended on a thin wire that rotates back and forth rather than swinging. Produced primarily in Germany from the 1880s onward; the most prominent maker was Jahresuhrenfabrik (trade name "Schatz").

Named for their distinctive silhouette that resembles a hot-air balloon in profile. The case is characterized by a waisted outline that swells outward toward the top and bottom, creating an elegant, rounded form.

Particularly fashionable in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, often with enamel or painted dials and high-quality fusee movements. American versions are less common and generally later in date.

An American wall clock with a distinctive shape resembling a banjo. Patented by Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1802, the design features a circular head, a narrow waisted neck, and a rectangular box-like base (the "throat" and "box").

The throat and lower box are usually decorated with reverse paintings on glass (églomisé), depicting patriotic scenes, landscapes, or geometric patterns. True Willard banjos are highly valuable; later mass-produced versions by New Haven, Seth Thomas, and others are more affordable but still collectible.

American shelf clocks with a rounded top that narrows toward the peak, resembling a traditional straw beehive. Common from roughly 1840 to 1870, produced in large numbers by Connecticut clock manufacturers.

Subcategories include the "Gothic beehive" (with a pointed arch top), the "ripple beehive" (with a wavy-textured veneered case), and the plain or "smooth" beehive. Cases are usually rosewood or mahogany veneer over a soft-wood base, with a painted iron or paper dial.

A broad category of shelf and mantel clocks with black cases, most commonly made of black-painted or enameled iron ("black iron"), black marble, black slate, or black-dyed wood with a plaster or composition finish.

Extremely popular from roughly 1880–1920, particularly in American and French production. Often sold in "garnitures" — matching sets with flanking vases or candelabras. American black mantel clocks are typically cast-iron or adamantine-celluloid; French examples are often marble or slate.

Originally, a clock designed to rest on a bracket attached to a wall — hence the name — though most bracket clocks today are simply placed on a shelf or mantel. A quintessentially British form, refined from the late 17th century onward.

Typically characterized by an ebonized or veneered wooden case, a handle or carrying handle on top, and a fusee movement. Often equipped with striking mechanisms. The term is sometimes used loosely by American dealers to mean any substantial shelf clock in a traditional case.

Clocks that display calendar information in addition to the time — usually the day of the week, date, and month. Some more complex models ("perpetual calendar clocks") automatically account for months of different lengths and even leap years.

Calendar clocks were extremely popular in America from approximately 1860–1910. Major makers include Ithaca, Seth Thomas, Welch, and the Waterbury Clock Company. Many feature two dials — one for the time and one for the calendar.

Small, portable clocks originally made for travelers in horse-drawn carriages. Characterized by a rectangular brass case with a glass panel on each of the four sides and the top, allowing the movement to be seen, and a hinged carrying handle on top.

Primarily a French specialty — the finest examples were made in Paris, particularly by makers such as Bréguet, Drocourt, Margaine, and Jacot. Also produced in England and Germany. Complications such as repeating mechanisms, alarms, and calendars are common and add significantly to value.

Elegant mantel clocks with four-sided glass panels (and sometimes a glass top) in a gilt-bronze frame, allowing a full view of the ornate movement, pendulum, and decoration within. The visible pendulum — often a large, ornate "compensating" pendulum of gilded brass — is a key decorative feature.

Despite the name, these are not true "regulators" in the horological sense (precision timekeepers) but rather decorative display clocks. Predominantly French, made from roughly 1880–1920. American makers such as Ansonia and Seth Thomas produced their own interpretations.

Wall clocks with an automaton cuckoo bird that emerges from a small door to call the hours (and sometimes half-hours). The cuckoo's call is produced by two bellows and pipes. A characteristic product of the Black Forest region of Germany, where production began in the mid-18th century.

Cases range from simple shield-back forms to elaborate carved hunting or chalet designs. Weight-driven movements are most traditional, but spring-driven examples exist. Makers' names or labels are often found inside the case.

Tall, freestanding floor clocks in which the movement is housed in a tall wooden case (typically 6–8 feet high), with a long pendulum swinging in the lower trunk section. The term "grandfather clock" became popular after an 1875 song; before that, these were simply called "longcase" or "tallcase" clocks.

"Grandmother" clocks are shorter versions (usually under 6 feet). The movements are almost always weight-driven. English, American, and Continental examples all exist, with enormous variation in case style, movement quality, and complication from simple 30-hour movements to elaborate astronomical specimens.

A distinctly American category: inexpensive, mass-produced shelf clocks popular from roughly 1880–1920, designed for the kitchen or parlor of ordinary households. Cases are typically of pressed or carved oak with applied decorations, and sometimes walnut or ash.

Almost always spring-driven, with an alarm function common. Major Connecticut producers include Seth Thomas, Ansonia, New Haven, and Waterbury. Often sold through general stores and mail-order catalogs. Despite their modest origins, well-preserved kitchen clocks in original oak cases are increasingly collectible.

A broad category encompassing any clock intended to sit on a mantelpiece or shelf. This is a catch-all for clocks that don't fit more specific categories (beehive, bracket, kitchen, black mantel, etc.). The mantel clock form spans enormous range — from simple American spring-driven movements in wood cases to elaborate French ormolu and marble creations.

When searching our database, if you are uncertain of your clock's specific type, try "Mantel / Shelf Clocks" for a broad initial search, then narrow using other search fields.

American shelf clocks with a pointed Gothic-arch top that resembles a church steeple. One of the most common antique American clock forms — produced in the millions by Connecticut makers from the 1840s through the early 20th century.

Cases are typically veneered in mahogany or rosewood over a soft-wood base, with a lower glass tablet (usually painted or stenciled) through which the pendulum is visible. Variants include the "sharp gothic" (very pointed), the "round gothic" (more blunted arch), and the "double steeple" (two towers). Makers include Seth Thomas, Jerome, New Haven, and many others.

Elegant weight-driven wall clocks originating in Vienna, Austria in the early 19th century, designed to serve as precision timekeepers of high aesthetic quality. Characterized by a long, narrow case — usually with a glazed door — exposing a seconds-beating pendulum and a clean white enamel or painted dial.

True Viennese examples have exceptional movements and are prized collector's items. The style was widely imitated throughout Germany and was also produced in America by Seth Thomas and others. The term "Vienna regulator" is now applied loosely to many imitators, so movement quality and provenance are important in determining value.

A broad catch-all category for clocks designed to hang on a wall that don't fit a more specific type (banjo, Vienna regulator, cuckoo, drop trunk, etc.). Includes round schoolhouse-style clocks, octagonal wall clocks, simple pendulum wall clocks, and various other forms.

Among the most common types you'll find here: round gallery clocks, basic spring-driven pendulum clocks, and wall clocks from non-specialty makers. As with Mantel Clocks, use this category for a broad search, then narrow with other fields.