What is the history of the bracket clock?

Bracket clocks originated in the 17th century in Britain, designed as portable mechanical timepieces featuring carrying handles to be placed on brackets or tables.

What materials and movements were traditionally used in 18th-century bracket clocks?

These clocks typically feature wooden cases made from mahogany or ebony, brass gilt spandrels, silvered dials, and spring-driven fusee mechanical movements.

sold SA1149423

Sorry, but this item has been sold.

The English Interior

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2023

Browse dealers 74 items

About Us

Specialist dealer in 17th century to the 20th century fine art, furniture and decorative antiques for your home.

Id #SA1149423

PDF

SAVE

Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London

Name: Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1149423
Price: 1600 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

18th century

Sold by The English Interior

Sold 12 July 2025 · The English Interior

This “Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London” found a buyer.

It was listed by The English Interior. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale

8 Day Bracket Clock Brown Bracket Clock Georgian Clock London Ask the dealer for something similar

Description

Attractive 18th century mahogany bracket clock by John Smithyes of London.

(Estate find so will need overhaul. Pendulum present winding key not present)

The silvered arched dial is engraved with Arabic minute and Roman numeral hour indicators, with date and strike/silent dial, signed 'John Smithyes, London'.

The figured mahogany bell top case of good colour is fitted with a brass carrying handle, glazed to the front door and side panels and rear door, all supported on ogee brass cast feet.

When purchased some years ago, the vendor explained that the repeating, fusee movement was running and struck the hour on a bell.

A high quality and imposing clock with a back plate which is finely engraved with scrolling foliage.

Height: 18"

Width: 9"

Depth: 6"

Date of Manufacture

The English Interior has dated this Antique Mahogany Bracket Clock to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

46cm (18.11")

Width

23cm (9.06")

Depth

16cm (6.30")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1149423

Description

Attractive 18th century mahogany bracket clock by John Smithyes of London.

(Estate find so will need overhaul. Pendulum present winding key not present)

“

The silvered arched dial is engraved with Arabic minute and Roman numeral hour indicators, with date and strike/silent dial, signed 'John Smithyes, London'.

The English Interior

fig 1. An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. — fig 1. Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London

The figured mahogany bell top case of good colour is fitted with a brass carrying handle, glazed to the front door and side panels and rear door, all supported on ogee brass cast feet.

When purchased some years ago, the vendor explained that the repeating, fusee movement was running and struck the hour on a bell.

A high quality and imposing clock with a back plate which is finely engraved with scrolling foliage.

Height: 18"

Width: 9"

Depth: 6"

Date of Manufacture

The English Interior has dated this Antique Mahogany Bracket Clock to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

46cm (18.11")

Width

23cm (9.06")

Depth

16cm (6.30")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1149423

About the Dealer

The English Interior

Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2023

Specialist dealer in 17th century to the 20th century fine art, furniture and decorative antiques for your home.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The English Interior Profile Page

PDF

SAVE

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial.

1 / 9

Archive I

Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London

Archive II

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View II

Archive III

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View III

Archive IV

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View IV

Archive V

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View V

Archive VI

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View VI

Archive VII

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View VII

Archive VIII

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View VIII

Archive IX

An 18th-century mahogany bracket clock with a brass arched handle, gilt spandrels, and a silvered roman numeral dial. View IX

Authenticity is determined by examining the hand-engraved backplate signatures, fusee movement construction, original fire-gilt brass mounts, and period-appropriate timber ageing.

An antique bracket clock serves as a focal point when placed on a mantelpiece, sideboard, or study desk, contrasting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary minimalist decor.

They require professional mechanical servicing every few to several years, stable environmental conditions away from direct sunlight, and careful handling when winding.

The English Interior

Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Georgian Mahogany Timepiece Library Clock by Bush of London

An Unusual Early Scottish Mantel Clock.

German Mahogany Ting Tang Mantel Clock by W&h

Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Bracket Clock by Piggin Norwich

French Belle Epoque Mahogany Mantel Clock

Repeating Regency Bracket Clock. Mantel Clock. Or Table Clock.

Small Twin Fusee 8 Day Striking Bracket Mantel Clock 19th Century

19th Cent Mahogany Fusee Bracket Clock

London Regency Library Clock

Twin Fusee Georgian Bracket Clock.

German Ting Tang Striking Bracket Clock by Schneckenburger

French Louis XIV Style Mahogany Mantel Clock

The English Interior

Email The English Interior

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

Cataloguer’s note

FAQs

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories

The English Interior

Fine 18th Century Bracket Clock by John Smitheys London

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Georgian Mahogany Timepiece Library Clock by Bush of London

An Unusual Early Scottish Mantel Clock.

German Mahogany Ting Tang Mantel Clock by W&h

Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Bracket Clock by Piggin Norwich

French Belle Epoque Mahogany Mantel Clock

Repeating Regency Bracket Clock. Mantel Clock. Or Table Clock.

Small Twin Fusee 8 Day Striking Bracket Mantel Clock 19th Century

19th Cent Mahogany Fusee Bracket Clock

London Regency Library Clock

Twin Fusee Georgian Bracket Clock.

German Ting Tang Striking Bracket Clock by Schneckenburger

French Louis XIV Style Mahogany Mantel Clock

The English Interior

Email The English Interior

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

Cataloguer’s note

FAQs

What is the history of the bracket clock?

What materials and movements were traditionally used in 18th-century bracket clocks?

How can one identify an authentic 18th-century bracket clock?

How do you style an antique bracket clock in a modern interior?

What care and preservation do antique mechanical clocks require?

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories