Why are grandfather clocks 6 feet tall?

Most historians believe that early grandfather clocks were 6 feet tall because the long case was required to hold a pendulum of adequate length to power their movement. Some clocks are even larger, though this is likely to give them a more substantial, decorative look. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of grandfather clocks.

What is a clock spandrel?

The spandrel of a clock is the triangular-shaped space between the top of an arch and the frame on either side. This feature often has decorative elements to create interest on either side. On 1stDibs, find a collection of clocks with spandrels from some of the world’s top sellers.

What are the old clocks called?

Old clocks with a freestanding design are called grandfather clocks. Smaller portable ones designed for travel are usually referred to as carriage clocks. On 1stDibs, you can shop a range of antique and vintage clocks from some of the world’s top sellers.

What is a tall case clock?

This is a tall narrow floor-standing pendulum clock, with a pendulum held inside the tower or the waist of the case. These might feature elaborate carvings ornamentation of the hood, mainly prized for their decorative and antique value.

Tall Case Clocks

Broken Pediment

18th Century Swedish Clock

English Longcase 19th Century Grandfather Clock

Tall Decorative Objects

Category

Antique 19th Century English Clocks

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique Victorian Grandfather Clock Woodcutter Mahogany

$7,899

18th Century Swedish Baroque Tall Case Mora Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique Swedish Baroque tall case mora clock, with very graceful serpentine shape and detailed

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Grandfather Clocks and Longcas...

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Swedish Baroque Tall Case Mora Clock

$8,950

Tall Antique 18th Century Case Clock, French, Louis XV Fine Carved Oak

Located in Wommelgem, BE

Nice tall French tall clock case in oak The date on the clock shows 1780 with the name off the

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Mantel Clocks

Materials

Oak

Tall Antique 18th Century Case Clock, French, Louis XV Fine Carved Oak

$2,106

18th Century Antique Swedish Painted Tall Case Mora Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

18th Century Antique Swedish Painted Tall Case Mora Clock Lovely carved shaped bonnet top, graceful

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Grandfather Clocks and Longcas...

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Antique Swedish Painted Tall Case Mora Clock

$8,950

19th C. Repousee Oak Cabinet Tall Clock (GMD#2339)

Located in Los Angeles, CA

" Clock Tall Case (case not oringal to face, but same period). Believe to be made by (or in the style of

Category

Antique 19th Century French Clocks

19th C. Repousee Oak Cabinet Tall Clock (GMD#2339)

$3,600

Swedish Blue Painted Mora Clock

Located in Savannah, GA

Pale blue/grey painted Swedish tall case (Mora) clock with gilded detailing, front cabinet opening

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Clocks

Materials

Metal

Swedish Blue Painted Mora Clock

$3,500

Swedish Clock in Original Paint

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Tall case Swedish clock in original paint and dated 1845. The original thirty-hour movement was

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Grandfather Clocks and Longcas...

Materials

Brass

Swedish Clock in Original Paint

$4,800

George II Burr Walnut Longcase Clock

By Claudius Du Chesne London

Located in London, GB

is renowned for making a pair of 12 ft. tall long case clocks showing the days of the month, the

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George II Grandfather Clocks and Long...

George II Burr Walnut Longcase Clock

$30,123

Early Mora Clock with Carved Urn Finial

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Tall case Swedish clock, circa 1780, with Rococo curves and beautifully carved floral-hung urn at

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Grandfather Clocks and Longcase...

Materials

Brass, Steel

Early Mora Clock with Carved Urn Finial

$7,800

19th C Venetian Mirrored Tall Clock Case

Located in Santa Rosa, CA

Wonderful crusty mirrored green tall clock case with no clock. The top sits on the base and the

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Mirror

19th C Venetian Mirrored Tall Clock Case

$6,500

19th Century Scottish Tall Case Clock

Located in New York, NY

19th century Scottish tall case clock in mahogany.

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Scottish Tall Case Clock

$7,800

19th Century Scottish, Tall Case Clock

Located in New York, NY

19th century Scottish tall case clock by James Jamieson of Stranraer, circa 1830.

Category

Antique 1830s Scottish Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Scottish, Tall Case Clock

$9,900

Swedish Painted and Gilt Tall Case Clock

Located in San Francisco, CA

A classic Swedish tall case clock from the area around Mora. We think the gilding is refreshed or

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Clocks

Materials

Wood, Glass

Swedish Painted and Gilt Tall Case Clock

$8,885

Early 19th Century Philadelphia Tall Case Clock

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

An elegant early 19th century mahogany Philadelphia tall case clock featuring a second hand and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Grandfather Clock...

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Philadelphia Tall Case Clock

$6,500

Swedish Tall Case Clock from Småland

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Tall case clock, Sweden, circa 1830, from the province of Småland. The case has a simple crown

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Grandfather Clocks and Longcas...

Materials

Glass, Wood

Swedish Tall Case Clock from Småland

$5,800

19th Century Swedish Painted Tall Case Clock

Located in Stamford, CT

Swedish Gustavian style painted tall case clock in working condition, circa 19th century. The case

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Grandfather Clocks and Longcase C...

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Painted Tall Case Clock

$2,100

American Federal Style Tall Case Clock by Elmer Stennes

By Elmer O. Stennes

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

An American tall case clock dating from the mid 1950's by noted cabinetmaker Elmer O Stennes fo

Category

Vintage 1950s American Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

American Federal Style Tall Case Clock by Elmer Stennes

$6,800

Tall Case Clock by Sven Nilsson Morin

By Sven Nilsson Morin

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Swedish tall case clock in original paint by the artist and carver Sven Nilsson Morin, circa 1810

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Swedish Rococo Grandfather Clocks and Longcas...

Materials

Pine

Tall Case Clock by Sven Nilsson Morin

$7,800

Superb George III Mahogany Tall Case Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This is a superb quality George III mahogany tall case clock, there is satinwood shell inlay to the

Category

Antique 1820s English Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Satinwood

Superb George III Mahogany Tall Case Clock

$2,850

Mid-18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

An elegant and imposing mid-18th century. English tall case clock, having second hand and day of

Category

Antique 1760s English Chinoiserie Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Wood

Mid-18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock

$9,800

George II Blue Lacquered Tall Case Clock

By William Stapleton

Located in Sheffield, MA

George II blue lacquered tall case clock inscribed Wm. Stapleton, London. It has an eight-day

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century British George II Grandfather Clocks and Longca...

Materials

Wood

George II Blue Lacquered Tall Case Clock

$18,500

Late 18th Century George III Japanned Tall Case Clock

By William Harris

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

A large and elegant late 18th century English chinoiserie decorated tall case clock in an unusual

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Long...

Late 18th Century George III Japanned Tall Case Clock

$9,800

18th Century, c.1775 Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock by William Mayhew, Woodbridge

Located in Atlanta, GA

18th Century, c.1775 Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock by William Mayhew of Woodbridge, Legendary clock

Category

Antique 18th Century Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Glass, Wood

18th Century, c.1775 Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock by William Mayhew, Woodbridge

$7,650

Mid-18th Century English Black Polished Ornately Carved Tall Case Clock

Located in Hudson, NY

A very unique and gorgeous English tall case clock that is black polished and richly carved overall

Category

Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Grandfather Clocks and Longcase ...

Materials

Brass

Mid-18th Century English Black Polished Ornately Carved Tall Case Clock

$3,850

18th Century French Tall Case Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

18th century hand-carved and hand-painted walnut long case clock. The 18th century concave face is

Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XIV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Iron

18th Century French Tall Case Clock

$6,500

Faux Marble Painted and Ribbed Early 19th Gustavian Swedish Tall Case Clock

Located in Antwerp, BE

Very elegant and unusual painted Swedish tall case clock. Gustavian style carved ribbing and faux

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Grandfather Clocks and Long...

Faux Marble Painted and Ribbed Early 19th Gustavian Swedish Tall Case Clock

$1,780

Very Unusual 19th Century Belgian Tall Case "Fish" Clock from Liege

Located in Antwerp, BE

This extremely unusual tall case clock was made in the last half of the 19th century in Liege

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Clocks

Very Unusual 19th Century Belgian Tall Case "Fish" Clock from Liege

$8,500

19th Century French Provincial Clock

Located in Houston, TX

19th century French Provincial tall case clock with highly decorative pressed brass pendulum with

Category

Antique 19th Century French Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

19th Century French Provincial Clock

$3,850

Howard Miller Smoked-Lucite Grandfather Clock, Circa 1970s

By Howard Miller

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Howard Miller tall case clock in smoked Lucite with a walnut base, mirrored back, and chrome

Category

Vintage 1970s American Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Chrome

Howard Miller Smoked-Lucite Grandfather Clock, Circa 1970s

$1,900

18th Century Mahogany English Longcase Clock, Signed Thomas Allen, Wantage

Located in Carmel, CA

Late 18th century mahogany tall case clock of charming proportions. The clock is signed Thomas

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Long...

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany English Longcase Clock, Signed Thomas Allen, Wantage

$5,200

Exceptional Swedish Bridal Clock

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Swedish tall case clock, circa 1840, dry scraped to its original painted surface. The overall

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Swedish Bridal Clock

$8,500

Grandfather clock, English ca.1790

By James Cawson 1

Located in New Haven, CT

This elaborately decorated tall case clock, dating from the mid-18th century by Clockmaker James

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Grandfather Clocks and Long...

Materials

Mahogany

Grandfather clock, English ca.1790

$10,500

Antique Art-Deco Grandfather Clock

Located in Lisboa, Lisboa

Tall case clock, Deco. The circular dial with classic Roman numerals is set into the top of the

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Metal

Antique Art-Deco Grandfather Clock

$474

19th Century French Tall Long Case Cherrywood Clock

Located in Cookeville, TN

Cherrywood long case clock featuring hand-cut metal hands and Roman numerals. Dainty flowers add to

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase...

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Tall Long Case Cherrywood Clock

$3,695

Large Open Case Skeleton Clock by Wayne Westphale

By Wayne Westphale

Located in Southfield, MI

Wonderful, light, and elegant skeleton form tall open case clock by Wayne Westphale, dating to 1985

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Clocks

Large Open Case Skeleton Clock by Wayne Westphale

$3,600

Late 18th Century Swedish Pale Blue Painted Mora Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique Swedish tall case Mora clock distress painted pale blue with arched carved bonnet and

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Grandfather Clocks and Longc...

Materials

Glass, Wood

Late 18th Century Swedish Pale Blue Painted Mora Clock

$8,950

Late 19th Century English Grandfather Clock with Brass Engraved Face

Located in Santa Ana, CA

This tall case English grandfather clock is made from oak and features an engraved brass face with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Other Grandfather Clocks and Longcase ...

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century English Grandfather Clock with Brass Engraved Face

$2,895

18th Century English Queen Anne Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock Signed by Maker

By Edward Appleford

Located in Charleston, SC

A 18th century English Queen Anne chinoiserie tall case clock, circa 1760, signed by Edward

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Grandfather Clocks and Longc...

Materials

Brass

18th Century English Queen Anne Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock Signed by Maker

$11,500

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Tall Case Clocks For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of tall case clocks for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct tall case clocks — often made from wood, metal and brass — can elevate any home. Tall case clocks have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Tall case clocks made by Georgian designers — as well as those associated with louis xv — are very popular at 1stDibs. Tall case clocks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Herschede Clock Co., Walter Durfee and Howard Miller are consistently popular.

How Much are Tall Case Clocks?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $6,807, while they’re typically $69 on the low end and $785,000 highest priced.

Finding the Right Clocks for You

A sophisticated clock design, whether it’s a desk clock, mantel clock or large wall clock for your living room, is a decorative object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles. Given the versatility of these treasured fixtures — they’ve long been made in a range of shapes, sizes and styles — a clock can prove integral to your own particular interior decor.

Antique and vintage clocks can whisk us back to the 18th and 19th centuries. When most people think of antique clocks, they imagine an Art Deco Bakelite tabletop clock or wall clock, named for the revolutionary synthetic plastic, Bakelite, of which they’re made, or a stately antique grandfather clock. But the art of clock-making goes way back, transcending continents and encompassing an entire range of design styles and technologies. In short, there are many kinds of clocks depending on your needs.

A variety of wall clocks can be found on 1stDibs. A large antique hand-carved walnut wall clock is best suited to a big room and a flat background given what will likely be outwardly sculptural features, while Georgian grandfather clocks, or longcase clocks, will help welcome rainswept guests into your entryway or foyer. An interactive cuckoo clock, large or small, is guaranteed to bring outsize personality to your living room or dining room. For conversation pieces of a similar breed, mid-century modern enthusiasts go for the curious Ball clock, the first of more than 150 clock models conceived in the studio of legendary architect and designer George Nelson.

Minimalist contemporary clocks and books pair nicely on a shelf, but an eye-catching vintage mantel clock can add balance to your home library while drawing attention to your art and design books and other decorative objects. Ormolu clocks dating from the Louis XVI period, designed in the neoclassical style, are often profusely ornate, featuring architectural flourishes and rich naturalistic details. Rococo-style mantel clocks of Meissen porcelain or porcelain originating from manufacturers in cities such as Limoges, France, during the 18th and 19th centuries, exude an air of imperial elegance on your shelves or side tables and can help give your desk a 19th-century upgrade.

On 1stDibs, find a range of extraordinary antique and vintage clocks today.

Questions About Tall Case Clocks

Why are grandfather clocks 6 feet tall?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Most historians believe that early grandfather clocks were 6 feet tall because the long case was required to hold a pendulum of adequate length to power their movement. Some clocks are even larger, though this is likely to give them a more substantial, decorative look. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of grandfather clocks.
What is a clock spandrel?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The spandrel of a clock is the triangular-shaped space between the top of an arch and the frame on either side. This feature often has decorative elements to create interest on either side. On 1stDibs, find a collection of clocks with spandrels from some of the world’s top sellers.
What are the old clocks called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Old clocks with a freestanding design are called grandfather clocks. Smaller portable ones designed for travel are usually referred to as carriage clocks. On 1stDibs, you can shop a range of antique and vintage clocks from some of the world’s top sellers.
What is a tall case clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
This is a tall narrow floor-standing pendulum clock, with a pendulum held inside the tower or the waist of the case. These might feature elaborate carvings ornamentation of the hood, mainly prized for their decorative and antique value.

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