Clocks, Barometers & Scientific Instruments

The market for clocks is driven by the increasing interest in Golden Age (late 17^th Century) pieces; this was the period after the invention of the pendulum which transformed the accuracy of mechanical timekeeping, and the precision timepieces of the 18^th and 19^th Centuries.

While these early and sophisticated clocks achieve the best prices, there is a market for all types such as longcase, carriage, skeleton, mantle, ormolu clocks, and portable bracket clocks amongst others.

Barometers are regular additions to auctions with typical ‘banjo’ or ‘stick’ designs often appearing. However, examples made by leading makers or made to unusual configurations will achieve the best prices.

The area of scientific instruments encompasses a host of interesting pieces, most notably telescopes, microscopes and binoculars, but also barographs, chronometers and armillary spheres.