Carriage Clocks
Carriage clocks were originally designed to be carried, or in other words portable. An essential and fashionable part of upper class luggage, these miniature timekeepers became popular in 19th century France and were commissioned by the very wealthy. The very wealthy travelled, of course, by carriage. The predecessor of traditional carriage clocks was known as the travelling clock and was more crudely made, dating as far back as the 15th century, and occasionally appearing in paintings of the time alongside important or wealthy figures. The modern day carriage clock we now recognise can be dated back to approximately 1796, Napoleon being one of the first to own one. Most antique pieces, however, were produced in the 19th and early 20th century, the few English examples emerging from makers in London.
Delicate and aesthetic, it is not difficult to see why carriage clocks are now back in vogue.
Thankfully for those of us who were not born into the exclusive wealth of the upper classes, mass-production became possible in the 1830s and the carriage clock evolved to become far more widely available. One of the champions of this was Parisian clockmaker Paul Garnier, who produced more affordable brass carriage clocks alongside those for the super-rich. Popularity slumped in the 1930s with the evolution of the more practical and affordable wristwatch, but in recent years carriage clocks have returned to our mantelpieces as works of art.
From around 1870, engraved cases - engraved brass was considered far more valuable than plain - would often feature enamel or porcelain as a true mark of quality. Many carriage clocks have a serial number that can be used in identifying the maker and value of the piece, the style and intricacies of each varying greatly depending on the period and designer. Glass sides or a glass back are often used to display the minute workings of a clock, as in the English hand made 8-day carriage clock from Woodford.
It is difficult to imagine the traditional carriage clock as part of our holiday luggage these days, but a couple of hundred years ago it was considered to be both a practical and prestigious addition, the hard leather case ensuring durability along the bumpy roads of the time. Even back then, some clocks featured calendar details and temperature levels, and later the 'repeat' button which, when pressed, would repeat the number of the last hour struck.
If you are lucky enough to possess an antique carriage clock - look out for that elaborate engraving - it could be worth somewhere in the region of thousands.
Article by Helen Ward