Weighted Longcase Clock
A weighted longcase clock brings mechanical precision and stately presence to a room, driven by suspended metal masses that power its movement.
Weighted Longcase Clock
A weighted longcase clock stands tall against a wall, housing a pendulum and hanging weights within a wooden trunk. These pieces include grandfathers, smaller grandmother versions, and precision regulators from various eras.
The selection here ranges from early eighteenth century oak examples to twentieth century chiming models. Oak, mahogany, and walnut case woods appear alongside brass dials and silvered metal details.
Regional British makers from London to Scotland contributed distinct provincial styles alongside grander London pieces. Smaller scale variants and musical quarter chiming movements also populate the current range.
How they were made
Cabinet makers built the tall wooden housings using solid timbers like oak, mahogany, and walnut, frequently incorporating burr veneers or painted finishes. Metalworkers cast and engraved the brass and silvered dials, while clockmakers assembled the complex brass and steel gear trains.
Drive power comes from heavy iron or steel weights suspended on cords or chains, working in tandem with a swinging pendulum to regulate time. Specialised movements incorporated multiple weights to drive quarter chiming or musical mechanisms.
Weighted Longcase Clock Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for weighted longcase 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.
Materials utilised across the selection include brass, glass, mahogany, oak, walnut, iron, steel, and silvered metal.
What varies in quality
The sophistication of the movement dictates much of the distinction, moving from simple timepieces to complex musical or quarter chiming mechanisms with multiple weights. Precision regulators and specialised gear trains sit at the upper end of mechanical achievement.
Cabinet work also separates standard provincial pieces from masterworks, evident in the crispness of dial engraving, the selection of figured mahogany or burr oak veneers, and the architectural proportion of the hood and trunk.
Gillett & Johnston of Croydon·Lee of Great Marlow·Elliott·Lenzkirch·Enfield·Francis Perigal of Bond Street·William Wady of Twickenham·Lister & Sons·Thomas De Gruchy Jersey·Anthony Marsh London
The Weighted Longcase Clock Glossary
- Grandmother clock
- A smaller version of the traditional longcase clock, typically produced during the early twentieth century. These shorter cases suit more modest ceiling heights.
- Regulator
- A high precision clock designed to keep exceptionally accurate time. These movements often feature specialised deadbeat escapements and heavy pendulum bobs.
- Quarter chime
- A mechanism that sounds the time at each quarter hour using a series of bells or gongs. These setups require additional weights and intricate gear trains.
- Silvered metal
- A brass dial plate treated with a silver compound to produce a pale, matte finish. Numerals and maker details are then engraved and blackened for legibility.
- Arch dial
- A clock face featuring a curved top section above the main circular dial. This space often houses a subsidiary moon phase or strike silent dial.
Weighted Longcase Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wind a weighted longcase clock?
Winding involves pulling the chains or using a crank key to raise the heavy metal weights back toward the top of the case. Care must be taken not to overwind the movement.
Different models require winding at intervals ranging from eight days to thirty hours depending on the gear train configuration.
Where should you place a longcase clock?
These tall clocks need a stable, plumb wall and a solid floor to ensure the pendulum swings evenly without interference. Placing them away from direct sunlight and damp exterior walls protects the wooden case.
Adequate clearance is also necessary for the weights to drop freely inside the trunk without striking the sides.
What is the difference between a grandfather and grandmother clock?
Grandfather clocks are the standard full sized longcase clocks, standing over six feet tall with generous proportions. Grandmother clocks are scaled down versions produced largely in the early twentieth century.
These smaller variants fit easily into modern rooms while retaining the mechanical movement and weighted drive of their taller counterparts.
How do you date a longcase clock?
Dating relies on examining the architectural style of the wooden case, the typography and materials of the dial, and the construction of the brass movement. Cabinet woods like oak point toward earlier periods, while mahogany and later revival styles suggest Georgian or Edwardian origins.
Inscribed signatures on the dial often point to specific active workshop dates for the maker.