Antique Lacquer Clock
An antique lacquer clock brings rich colour and surface depth to a room, ranging from grand tall cases to compact mantel pieces.
Antique Lacquer Clock
An antique lacquer clock encompasses tall floor-standing longcase examples alongside smaller mantel, wall and bracket formats. The selection spans Georgian floor pieces decorated with Chinoiserie motifs to later 20th-century mantel and grandmother clocks.
Tall longcase forms dominate the older periods, frequently housing brass movements and striking mechanisms within fitted wooden carcases. Smaller variants from the 20th century utilise similar decorative finishes on compact desk and wall formats.
How they were made
Maker workshops built the wooden carcases of these pieces from timber before applying layers of lacquer, often in green, red, blue or cream finishes. Artisans then added gilt and painted decoration, frequently employing Chinoiserie scenes featuring figures, pavilions and landscapes.
The internal mechanisms combine brass plates and wheels with glass dial covers and sometimes enamel faces. Cabinetmakers housed these brass movements inside the decorated wooden cases alongside weights, pendulums or spring-driven escapements.
Antique Lacquer Clock Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for lacquer clock among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Certain 18th-century longcase examples feature moving automaton figures like Father Time rocking above the dial.
What varies in quality
The depth and execution of the painted lacquer surface separate standard examples from finer works. Superior pieces display intricate, well-preserved gilt detailing and layered decorative motifs across the wood.
The sophistication of the internal movement dictates distinction within the range. Clocks featuring specialised mechanisms, musical chimes or automated elements sit above simpler timepieces.
John fielder of Alton·William Kipling London·Wise of Reading·Thomas Utting of Yarmouth·Gardner of London·JAMES SMITH LONDON·CHATER SON LONDON·Moser
The Antique Lacquer Clock Glossary
- Chinoiserie
- European decorative style reflecting Chinese artistic traditions. Artisans applied these painted and gilt motifs extensively to wooden clock cases.
- Longcase clock
- Tall floor-standing timekeeper housing a pendulum and weights. These tall wooden cases are frequently referred to as grandfather or grandmother clocks.
- Bracket clock
- Portable mantel or table clock designed to sit on a shelf or wall bracket. Many examples feature brass carrying handles and detailed wood or lacquered finishes.
- Escapement
- Mechanical linkage that regulates the speed of the clock. Different types control the release of power from the weights or springs.
Antique Lacquer Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique lacquer clock?
An antique lacquer clock is a timekeeper housed in a wooden case finished with glossy resin layers and painted decoration. These range from tall Georgian longcase floor pieces to smaller 20th-century mantel clocks.
Most feature decorative finishes in green, red, blue, or cream, often incorporating gilt Chinoiserie motifs depicting traditional scenes.
How do I care for my clock?
Keep the clock away from direct sunlight, radiators, and damp walls to protect the delicate lacquer surface and wooden carcase. Stable room temperatures prevent the wood and finish from expanding or cracking.
Wind the movement strictly according to its specific mechanism type, and consult a professional horologist for periodic servicing of the brass gears.
How do I identify the period?
Examine the shape of the wooden case, the style of the painted decoration, and the construction of the dial. Georgian and 18th-century pieces often display hand-painted Chinoiserie on tall longcase formats.
Later pieces from the 1920s and 1930s tend to appear as smaller mantel or grandmother clocks, utilising brighter cream or blue lacquer finishes.
What is a grandmother clock?
A grandmother clock is a smaller, more slender version of the traditional longcase floor clock. These typically date from the 20th century and fit easily into rooms with lower ceilings.
Despite their reduced height, they often retain mechanical brass movements and decorative lacquer or Chinoiserie painted surfaces.