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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Domestic

Portico Clocks

Partially verified

French mantel clocks in the form of a classical portico, with the movement suspended between columns.

Movement & mechanism

  • Spring-driven movements with a visible pendulum between columns
  • Count-wheel or rack striking on a bell or gong
  • Silk-thread or later spring pendulum suspension by period

Identification

  • Four columns supporting an entablature over a suspended movement
  • Marble, bronze or veneered case
  • Signature often that of the retailer rather than the movement maker

Terminology

  • Portique
  • Silk suspension
  • Entablature

Known variations

  • Marble, mahogany and bronze variants

Collecting notes

Originality decides value and interest: check that movement, dial and case belong together, and prefer honest wear over refinishing. Movement work belongs with a clockmaker; cleaning a dial or case yourself commonly destroys the evidence that dates the clock.

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., reference works on British clockmakers (edition-dependent)
  3. Museum catalogue descriptions of comparable examples

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