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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Domestic

Rococo Clocks

Partially verified

Clocks featuring the ornate, asymmetrical, and naturalistic designs of the Rococo period.

Movement & mechanism

  • French or German spring-driven movements
  • Cases featuring 'C' and 'S' scrolls, shells, and flowers
  • Often in gilt bronze or carved wood

Identification

  • Asymmetrical case design
  • Abundance of floral and shell motifs
  • Gilded finish

Terminology

  • Rococo
  • Louis XV style
  • C-scroll

Known variations

  • Cartel and mantel clock versions

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.