Ebony and Brass Clock
An ebony and brass clock combines dark timber and bright metal to anchor a room with precision and presence.
Ebony and Brass Clock
When you search for an ebony and brass clock, you encounter timepieces spanning from the late seventeenth century through the Victorian era and the nineteenth century. These objects include basket top table clocks, longcase clocks, bracket clocks, mantel clocks, and portico clocks.
The version you are most likely to meet on this page is an English table clock or longcase clock from the seventeenth century, often featuring ebony veneer over a wooden carcase with brass mounts and dials. French examples from later periods also appear, showing styles such as Napoleon III, Louis XIV style Boulle, and French Empire.
Makers represented in these forms include Jonathon Lowndes, Joseph Windmills, William Speakman, Henry Jones, Louis Recordon, Desbois and Wheeler, James Evans, and John Drew. These horological works serve both practical timekeeping and decorative roles in traditional interiors.
Materials and construction
Cases utilise solid ebony, ebonised wood, and ebony veneer applied to structural timbers, sometimes enhanced with tortoiseshell, marquetry inlay, and ormolu mounts. The timber provides a dense, dark ground that contrasts sharply with metal elements.
Brass is worked into intricate dial plates, spandrels, bezels, and fine mouldings, while glass protects delicate dials and movements. Secondary materials include enamel for dial markers and steel for internal gear trains and springs.
Ebony and Brass Clock Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for ebony and brass 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.
Listings feature seventeenth-century table and longcase clocks alongside later Victorian and Regency examples, using ebony, brass, glass, and tortoiseshell.
Judging quality and execution
Superior examples display crispness in the brass casting of dial mounts and movement components, alongside precise application of wood veneers. The integration of materials determines the visual harmony of the piece.
Makers known for established reputations ensure that internal mechanical work matches the standard of the external case. The crispness of engraving on backplates and dials separates standard production from exceptional work.
Jonathon Lowndes·Joseph Windmills·William Speakman·Henry Jones·Louis Recordon·Desbois and Wheeler·James Evans·John Drew
The Ebony and Brass Clock Glossary
- Basket top
- A distinct curved or inverted dome shape found on the upper section of seventeenth-century table clocks. This form often incorporates brass handle fittings.
- Ebonised wood
- Timber treated to achieve the deep, dark appearance of true ebony. This technique allowed makers to utilise alternative woods while maintaining a uniform dark aesthetic.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze or brass applied to clock cases for decorative highlights. The technique involves mercury gilding to produce a lasting metallic lustre.
- Quarter repeating
- A mechanical complication that sounds the quarters of the hour upon demand via a pull mechanism. This acoustic feature required advanced gear cutting and tuning.
- Spandrel
- The triangular corner space on a clock dial surrounding the circular chapter ring. Makers filled these areas with cast brass ornamentation.
Ebony and Brass Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wind an antique clock safely?
Wind the clock using the appropriate key, turning smoothly until you feel resistance without forcing the spring.
Ensure you do not overwind the movement, as this can damage the internal components and disrupt timekeeping.
Where should I place a table clock?
Position the clock on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight, drafts, and sources of excessive heat or moisture.
Stable placement ensures the pendulum or balance wheel operates at an even rhythm.
How do I identify a seventeenth century clock?
Look for specific architectural forms such as basket top cases, square brass dials with cast spandrels, and ebony veneer over oak carcases.
Signatures engraved on the dial plate or movement backplate often provide direct attribution to makers active in that era.
What is the difference between a bracket clock and a table clock?
Bracket clocks historically sat upon matching wall brackets to project sound and aid visibility, though many now rest directly on furniture.
Table clocks share similar box-like proportions and carry top handles designed for portability between rooms.