As estate appraisers, we are often asked about the value of antique timepieces. Remember that just because something is old, doesn’t necessarily mean it is valuable. There are various factors which determine whether an old clock is valuable.
Old vs Antique
“Antique” implies that an item is older than 100 years. Incidentally, some younger items – which may be considered “vintage” may also be valuable depending on their place of origin.
Start by trying to find a label or the mark of the maker of the clock. If it was produced by a reputable maker, it goes without saying that it will have a higher value. Researching that information might give you your answer right away. Next, try to ascertain what clock type it is: carriage, pendulum, cuckoo, mantel, etc.
Look into the historical significance of the clock. Perhaps it was owned by a famous person or has its own interesting backstory. Be on the lookout for reproduction items; very often, a clock can look like a 17th century artifact but is in fact a 20th century reproduction of it. Reproductions are worth very little. Estate liquidators often discover such interesting things.
Physical Indicators of Clock Value
The material used is also important in determining the clock’s value. Certain types of wood would be indigenous to the places where authentic clocks of a specific type would come from, so the wood in these cases would determine the authenticity. Additionally, you should be aware of the use of modern materials like plastic in the clock. These would obviously mean your clock is newish and probably not of high value.
Other factors affect the clock’s value such as the mechanism – the more complex it is, the higher value it will have – and the condition of it. Of course, damage and signs of prior repair will lower the value too.
So dust off that gorgeous old timepiece and discover its value. For more information, contact Jerry’s Antiques today.
