| The longcase clock is the classic English clock, and is | | | | touches such as top finials, pierced frets and brass |
| generally considered the finest achievement of English | | | | stringing or mounts. |
| clock-making. Longcases are prized by collectors for | | | | Movements |
| the high quality of their cases and movements, and | | | | The longcase movement consists of an anchor |
| enjoy a wide popularity today. | | | | escapement with a long, seconds-beating pendulum. |
| There are large numbers in circulation, as they were | | | | The anchor escapement was considerably more |
| possibly the most widely produced type of English | | | | accurate than its predecessor, the verge |
| clock. They were also produced in the United States | | | | escapement, used in some very early longcases. The |
| - where they are known as tallcases - and on the | | | | longcase mechanism gradually incorporated complex |
| Continent of Europe, but generally in lesser quantities | | | | mechanical refinements such as moon dials or |
| than in England. | | | | astronomical or musical work. All examples are |
| The earliest English longcase clocks were produced | | | | weight-driven, with the weights descending inside the |
| by London makers. By 1700, longcases were being | | | | case. |
| made by provincial clockmakers in centers such as | | | | Longcase clocks generally run for eight days before |
| Bristol and Oxford. By the early 18th century, | | | | needing to be wound. Dials were originally square in |
| clockmaking had become established throughout | | | | shape, but from c.1720 the arched dial became the |
| Great Britain, and even small villages could boast of | | | | most common style. The round dial came into fashion |
| having their own maker. | | | | in the late 18th and early 19th century. The dial may |
| The long wooden case was an attractive but also | | | | be brass - either one-piece, or with an applied |
| practical solution to the problem of providing a stable, | | | | chapter ring - or else painted metal. |
| dust-frec environment for the pendulum and the | | | | Experts consider the very early examples, especially |
| weights hanging below the clock movement. The | | | | those with ebony, walnut or marquetry cases, to be |
| basic frame, or carcass, is almost invariably oak. | | | | the most important English longcases. The superb |
| The earliest cases were veneered with ebony or | | | | workmanship and fine proportions of these clocks, |
| ebonized wood. Later cases feature marquetry, | | | | particularly those by Thomas Tompion, Joseph and |
| walnut or mahogany veneers, lacquerwork and solid | | | | John Knibb and Edward East, make them the most |
| oak. As larger and more elaborate cases were | | | | highly sought-after - and expensive - antique longcase |
| produced, makers often made use of decorative | | | | clocks. |