Clock Cases: A Practical Guide to their Construction, Restoration and Conservation

This practical, informative and beautifully illustrated book will be essential reading for all those with a passion for mechanical clocks. It will be of particular interest to both amateurs and professionals alike who wish to work on clock cases and restore them in the correct way according to modern best practice. The authors, both experienced horological restorers, examine in detail the restoration processes and provide detailed descriptions, and a wealth of photographs and diagrams. Difficult, and often misunderstood, areas of restoration and conservation are explained in the context of twenty-first thinking. The haphazard approach to clock case restoration, which has continued in some quarters almost to the present day, is no longer considered appropriate for preservation of the rapidly dwindling stock of clocks that represent our horological heritage. Accordingly, the authors emphasize that sensitive and sympathetic clock case restoration is essential and, indeed, is the most economically attractive approach to adopt.|Outlines the history of the main types of clock case made up to about one hundred years ago. Considers clock case woods and woodworking, and some of the special techniques involved in clock case construction, restoration and conservation. Demonstrates how a new clock case can be constructed. Provides a clock case restoration study and describes the restoration of a number of other wooden clock cases. Covers both stone and metal clock cases of the 19th and 20th centuries. Discusses how to find a clock case to restore.