The Patio Expert Pages

The same antique clocks may be called various names by different experts depending on what region of the world they live in, which can get really confusing. For example, what the British call a "bracket clock" is actually identical to what American dealers call "shelf clocks" or "mantle clocks."

The main categories of antique clocks can also be further broken down into subcategories. For instance, within the broad category of "Beehive" clocks there may also be found subcategories such as a "Gothic" beehive or a "Ripple" beehive. Some may the subdivide the broad category of "Drop trunk" clocks into finer distinctions, such as "Schoolhouse" clocks, "Act of Parliament" clocks, "Wall regulators", "Tavern" clocks, "Short drop", "Octagon drop", and so forth.

Advertising clocks is a collective term used for clocks for promotional reasons which show advertising somewhere on the clock case or dial. The clock may also be used as a portion of the advertising, such as when a clock is integrated into a bigger sign. Most often found as shelf or wall clocks, or more rarely as Long-case or 'Grandfather' clocks, these are wonderful antique wall clocks.

Human beings are fascinated by time, and the passage of time. It is that deep interest that has led to seemingly mundane inventions such as the alarm clock. People's need to measure time and use time have led to technological advances over 6 millenia.

The very first early mechanical clocks, which didn't have pendulums, were developed in the last half of the thirteenth century, probably by monks from central Europe, and were placed within the church. They did not have dials or hands and only struck bells on the hour.

In order to make better use of the church bell already in place, these mechanized devices were installed in the church belfry. One hundred years later, dials and hands were added. The clocks from this era were huge, and made from very heavy metal materials forged by local metal smiths. Smaller clocks suitable for homes began appearing around the fifteenth century. Today, these antique clocks are very valuable in the antiques market.