Public Houses and Inns were probably the first to introduce wall clocks and featured round faces. As homes became more affluent, and able to afford these mechanical wall clocks, the clocks were adapted to the home but were not as accurate as the tavern wall clocks.

While thinking something as common today as a clock would have a social impact, especially on one’s status in society, that was the case in the 18th century. This being due to their cost which was out of reach for the majority of people.

English wall clock pendulum parts were spring driven with the early ones having a verge escapement. These were later replaced with the more accurate anchor escapements.

However, anchor escapements called for a longer pendulum then the verge and, as a result, required a larger, longer case. The dials of wall clocks are protected by glass and are normally painted wood or brass. On rare occasions you’ll find dials made of iron.

Wall clocks made in England and the United States tended to be made of wood, often imported from the West Indies, while the French rococo style wall clocks featured more metal in their construction.

Clock makers in the United States were the first to use mass production and their early clocks were the Banjo clock.

These featured the anchor escapement with a long pendulum and the drive mechanism was done with wind-up weights. They usually had dials painted white and were made of metal.

Antique Banjo clocks can hold great value, as can any antique wall clock, but there are many Banjo clock reproductions…so be careful in making any purchases.

Although craftsmen in Massachusetts began building clocks in the eighteenth century, most of their creations were clones of European designs until 1802, when one of these craftsmen patented the American banjo clock. This was the first truly American clock that launched a trend in American clock innovation that continues to this day. Nineteenth century American Banjo clocks have significant value as collector’s items today, but inexpensive replicas are also available.

At the time of its introduction, the American Banjo clock was known as the Improved Timepiece, with the banjo references being added later because of the similarity between the clock and the musical instrument. The basic design is geometrical in nature. A circle at the top of the clock features the clock face, below which there is a trapezoid which serves as the clock’s throat. At the bottom of the throat is a lower box that is rectangular. Most American Banjo clocks lacked any form of striking or chiming mechanism, so only indicated the time by its face, which was unusual for the period.

Most original American Banjo clocks were made primarily of mahogany wood that was imported to New England from the West Indies and used local pine and chestnut for the secondary woods. The clock mechanism itself was mostly made of metal, steel and brass in particular. Most of the exterior surface of the clock was surrounded by glass.

One of the key features of the American Banjo wall clock was the use of ornamental glass plates, which gave the clock a distinctive appearance. These glass plates and tablets had more in common with the produce of engravers than painters and involved several different styles of geometric design including detailed line work and semicircles. These engraved designs were done on a gold leaf base and were designed to work with gently colored backgrounds that gave the finished piece a subtle and unique beauty not seen previously in clock manufacture.

Authentic hand craft American Banjo clocks are still made today and there is a robust market of older antique banjo clocks as well. The price range differs widely depending on when the clock was made, its current condition, and who manufactured it. New American Banjo wall clocks can be found for around $200, while older antique ones can cost many thousands of dollars.

The seventeenth century saw the development of the Rococo style. This extremely ornate style favored by the French aristocracy was a full room style whereby every item in the room was an integral part of the overall presentation. The style was characterized by extremely ornate furniture, small statues, and wall hangings (elaborately framed paintings, tapestries and mirrors), which was used in conjunction with wall and ceiling paintings and ornate floors.

Not surprisingly, this also meant that clocks – at the time symbols of wealth and sophistication in France – were also done in Rococo style. The result was some of the most elaborately ornate wall clocks ever designed. Further, since these were commissioned by the wealthiest of the aristocracy, few designs were ever replicated or mass produced, instead almost all eighteenth century Rococo wall clocks are one of a kind original creations with a specific history.

Many of these Rococo style clocks – better known today as Cartel clocks – were made primarily out of ormolu, or gilt bronze, although other rare and beautiful materials were also employed. Most Cartel clock had both and hour and a minute hand but not a second hand, because the requisite pendulum for a second hand was too long to be hung without disrupting the style. The face of the clock was usually fairly plain, using black Roman numerals on a white background with ornate hands.

The real ornament was primarily confined to the clock case. Most Cartel clocks had extremely curvy, flowing lines as opposed to sharp angles, and were extremely elaborate in detail. Frequently these designs integrated in small figurines, leaves, vines, coats of arms, and other extremely detailed images. Beyond the gilt bronze, many were also inlaid with colored stones and glass and enhanced with enamel or paint embellishment. The over all effect was one of extreme elegance and artistry.

Today, real eighteenth century Cartel clocks are high value collector’s items, frequently being sold for tens of thousands of dollars. However, there are also several manufacturers that produce replicas and imitations which are much more reasonably priced. Rococo style generally integrated all decoration with the room to create the desired effect, but an extremely ornate imitation Cartel clock can still add a touch of luxury to a non-Rococo room.