Antique Tall Case Clock Terminology

Research

Link to view our selection of antique clocks

Our antique clocks have been serviced by our expert clock makers and are fully functioning. We ship and install antique clocks anywhere in the United States.

Demystify antique clock collecting by visiting our resources for early American clock styles, antique clock terms, and a list of early American clockmakers.

View our inventory of antique clocks

Antique Furniture

Link to view our selection of fine early American furniture

Our antique furniture is truly heirloom quality. We ship and install antique furniture anywhere in the United States.

View our inventory of early American furniture

Accessories

Our antique accessories are truly unique. We ship and install antique accessories anywhere in the United States.

View our inventory of antique accessories

Tall Case Clock Terminology

Pass your mouse ("mouse over") each number to view it's corresponding explanatory note.

1	Hood or Bonnet - houses the clock mechanism. In this example a brass 8-day movement.
2	Finial - a wood or brass decorative element. This example shows brass ball-and-spire finials.
3	Fretwork - a decorative cresting that varies by region. This is a pierced pattern of the early Boston style.
4	Plinth or Chimney - decorative elements, usually supports the finial.
5	Moon Phase – a revolving disk that displays the phases of the moon cycle.
6	Lunette - the arched upper portion of the dial.
7	Hemisphere - decorative terrestrial maps, part of the moon phase function.
8	Dial Door Lock - restricts access to dial and hands. The "dial" is the clock face
9	Spandrels - decorative painted or applied corner frame elements.
10	Hood Columns – standing decorative corner elements, usually with brass or wood turned capitals at the top and bases at the bottom. The columns are often embellished with fluted or reeded grooves.
11	Seconds Hand or Second Bit – displays the seconds.
12	Dial Door – glazed, hinged door protects the dial and movement.
13	Winding Hole and Arbor - a key is inserted here to raise the weights that drive the clock movement, one for each function or train, time and strike.
14	Column Capital - cast brass decorations.
15	Calendar Aperture – cutout in dial face to reveal a revolving calendar wheel that indicates the day of the month.
16	Line Inlay or String Inlay - lightwood decoration from the Chippendale and Federal periods.
17	Quarter Columns – quarter-round corner treatment often inlaid or carved with flutes or reeding.
18	Lock Escutcheon - frames the door locks.
19	Case Door or Pendulum Door - allows access to weights and pendulum.
20	Column Base - cast brass decorations. These are sometimes made of turned wood or pressed brass.
21	Waist Section or Trunk - the central portion of the case.
22	Waist Molding - a decorative and structural element that joins the base.
23	Brass Stop-Fluting - a decorative treatment with brass rods installed in the base of the fluting. Common on ”Roxbury case" clocks such as this example.
24	Base Section - the lower box portion of the case.
25	Base Panel – this example veneered with figured mahogany
26	Inlaid Oval or Paterae - one of the varied decorative elements inlaid into the surfaces of early clock cases.
27	Base Molding - a decorative and structural treatment that supports the feet.
28	Clock Foot - typically a bracket or French style foot. Later clocks have turned feet.

Links to Additional Research Topics

Early American Clock Styles	Early American Clockmakers	Antique Tall Clock Terminology	Antique Banjo Clock Terminology	Resources/Links
An overview of common American antique clock styles	A listing of well known early American clockmakers	A diagram of common antique tall clock terminology	A diagram of common antique banjo clock terminology	Links to resources and related publications