Bracket clock overview
As the name suggests, bracket clocks were originally mounted on a bracket on the wall. These clocks were typically spring driven and had a wooden case and matching bracket.
They often have carrying handles so that they can be moved from room to room and a strike repeat mechanism (pull a cord or lever that activates the striking of the last hour). In the times of pre gas/electric lighting this would enable the owner to get an approximation of the time without being able to see the hands/dial of the clock.
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This style of clock was made throughout the 17th and 18th century and into the 19th century. The early bracket clocks were extremely expensive and made for the luxury market. Almost all of them were made in London. Often the back of the movement can be viewed through a glass paned rear door and the backplate and pendulum assembly are elaborately engraved.
The clocks were leading technology in their day. Typically they had a two train fusee movement and a subsidiary date file. They often had further functionality. The early clocks had square brass dials and a silvered chapter ring. There were often gilt embellishments on the case and the gilt feet, escutcheon and spandrels were gilt.
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Early clocks were often housed in ebony, or ebonised, cases. Later clocks moved with timber availability and fashion to be housed in mahogany, rosewood and other exotic woods. Later clocks can often be categorised by their case types with the top style (eg caddy, inverted bell, chamfer and lancet tops were all popular.) Later clocks often have an enamelled or Japanned dial and brass stringing inlaid into their veneer finishes.
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