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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Domestic

Neoclassical Clocks

Partially verified

Clocks reflecting the 'return to order' of the neoclassical movement, inspired by Greek and Roman art.

Movement & mechanism

  • French and English movements
  • Cases featuring columns, urns, and swags
  • Marble and gilt-bronze materials

Identification

  • Symmetrical, architectural forms
  • Use of white marble and gilt bronze
  • Motifs like urns, laurel wreaths, and rams' heads

Terminology

  • Louis XVI style
  • Architectural
  • Symmetry

Known variations

  • Mantel and portico variants

Collecting notes

Condition and originality are paramount. For technical clocks like regulators or atmospheric clocks, the completeness of the original mechanism is more important than case condition. For decorative clocks (Boulle, Empire), the quality of the case craft is central.

Diagram

escape wheelpallets and leveroscillator
Schematic: escapement arrangement. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain
  3. Roberts, D., British Skeleton Clocks
  4. Museum catalogue records

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.