Can someone age or this H and F Paris Clock?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Luke48, May 9, 2019.

  1. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

  2. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

  3. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Thank you for the Reply! @afantiques
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
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  4. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

  5. Drew

    Drew Well-Known Member

    France did some of the highest quality metal foundry casting in the world during the 19th c. Many of their brass clocks are very impressive. Yours is a nice one.
     
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  6. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Thanks Drew, not mine yet but it will be soon!
     
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  7. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    I take it yours is bronze, Luke48?
     
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  8. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Its more of a gold colour just cant really see it in the photograph. Haha!
     
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  9. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Ha ha. I meant the material out of which it's cast. ;)
     
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  10. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    To be honest im not an expert at all with these sort of antiques. Is there any way to tell? Or is it just from the colour of it?
    Cheers, Luke.
     
  11. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    Remove the pendulum, to avoid damage to the suspension (probably easiest to take the bell off first) then turn it upside down and use something steel and sharp to scratch under a foot. (well out of sight) and if the scratch shows silvery colour it is spelter, a golden colour is bronze. Bronze examples are worth at least twice the price of spelter examples.
    The feet may be worn enough already to show a grey colour of spelter.
    Clocks are a buyer's market at the moment, so haggle hard.
     
  12. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Thank you very much for that answer. Ill be sure to do that!
     
  13. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    The bell looked like it was silver underneath but that has nothing to do with the cast does it?
     
  14. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    Bells are usually silvered bronze. Nothing to do with the metal of the case.
    Note the bell nut goes back on thin end inward.
     
  15. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Really helpfull information @afantiques . Thanks!!
     
  16. Drew

    Drew Well-Known Member

    As to the brass - bronze difference. . . the primary material in both is copper. Copper is cut with zinc (about 5%) for bass giving a bright appearance. Copper is cut with nickle (also 5% give or take) for bronze, giving a darker rich color, desired in statue casting. Most clocks are going to be in the brass category. Other metals are cut into the mix for different applications to give strength . . you don't want a clock case to be soft and pliable. There are high end French clock cases that have two different types of brass . . half lighter toned pieces - half darker toned pieces, for a two-tone effect. . . these are stunning !
     
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  17. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Hi, there drew. What do you think of this clock?
     
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  18. Drew

    Drew Well-Known Member

    s-l1600.jpg Yours is a very nice clock... classic French design. Importantly, condition looks good... Iv'e seen many with damage to upper potions (bent & broken details).

    Here is a two-tone French case I found. Construction is 18 separate brass pieces... half light brass, half a rose tinted brass.
     
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  19. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

  20. Luke48

    Luke48 Member

    Could this may be bronze?
     
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