Tempus Fugit Floor Clock
These tempus fugit floor clock pieces are substantial timepieces built in grand cases, offering presence and mechanical depth to any interior.
Tempus Fugit Floor Clock
A tempus fugit floor clock spans grand upright forms including grandfather clocks, smaller grandmother clocks, and miniature longcase variations. These tall timepieces appear in traditional styles as well as revival periods, stretching from eighteenth-century origins through to twentieth-century revivals.
The pieces on this page lean heavily towards twentieth-century productions, particularly from the 1920s and 1930s, alongside earlier Georgian and Victorian examples. Buyers will encounter substantial oak and walnut cases equipped with quarter chiming and musical movements.
Construction and materials
Cabinetmakers constructed these tall cases using timbers such as oak, mahogany, and walnut, often applying burr walnut veneers or lacquered finishes in the manner of japanning. Brass and steel components form the intricate internal movements that drive the chiming mechanisms.
Glass panels are fitted into the trunk doors to protect the swinging pendulum and weights while allowing a clear view of the dial. Cases draw upon stylistic traditions including Queen Anne, Georgian, and Jacobean revivals to shape their hood and trunk proportions.
Tempus Fugit Floor Clock Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for tempus fugit floor 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.
For those with low ceilings who still want the stately tick of a pendulum, a diminutive grandmother clock provides all the presence at half the height.
Judging quality in these clocks
Proportion and execution of historical styles separate standard production from finer cabinetmaking. Well-balanced miniature and grandmother proportions require careful scaling of the hood, dial, and trunk to maintain the visual gravity of a full-sized longcase.
Elliott·Enfield·Geo Tarratt of Leicester
The Tempus Fugit Floor Clock Glossary
- Grandfather clock
- A tall freestanding floor clock with a pendulum, housed in a wooden case typically standing over six feet high. They are also known as longcase clocks.
- Grandmother clock
- A smaller, more slender version of the traditional longcase clock, popular during the early twentieth century. These shorter floor clocks fit easily into lower-ceilinged rooms.
- Quarter chiming
- A mechanical movement feature that sounds musical notes or chimes every fifteen minutes. This adds considerable complexity to the gear train.
- Chinoiserie
- A decorative style reflecting European interpretations of Chinese artistic traditions, frequently seen on lacquered clock cases. It involves raised motifs and painted scenes.
- Burr walnut
- A highly prized timber veneer showing intricate swirling grain patterns formed from tree growths. It was utilised on select cabinet fronts for decorative impact.
Tempus Fugit Floor Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a grandfather and grandmother clock?
A grandfather clock is a full-sized longcase clock that typically stands well over six feet tall with substantial proportions. A grandmother clock is a smaller, more slender version designed with reduced height and a narrower trunk.
Both house similar pendulum movements, but the grandmother scale suits modern ceiling heights and tighter floor spaces while retaining traditional floor clock styling.
How do quarter chiming movements work?
A quarter chiming movement uses an additional gear train to sound a sequence of notes every fifteen minutes before striking the full hour on bells or gongs. These setups often rely on triple weights or heavy spring barrels to power the timekeeping, chimes, and melody independently.
The complexity of these mechanisms requires careful setup to ensure the musical trains release accurately at each quarter hour.
What periods do these floor clocks come from?
The pieces span from early Georgian originals built around the mid-eighteenth century to Victorian examples and a large group from the early twentieth century. Revival styles from the 1920s and 1930s make up a significant portion of the selection, emulating earlier cabinet designs.
Mid-century walnut pieces also appear, demonstrating that traditional longcase production continued well into the modern era.
How should I care for a mechanical floor clock?
Mechanical floor clocks need to stand on a level surface to keep the pendulum swinging evenly and the escapement functioning correctly. Regular winding of the weights or springs is necessary to maintain operation without straining the internal gears.
Professional servicing every few years ensures the brass bushings and pivot points remain clean and properly lubricated.