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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present: Asheford Institute of Antiques

APPRAISERS CORNER Certified Appraisal Training
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with David L Moore CPAA, Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

t was a typical day in the life of an antiques appraiser/dealer a few grandfather clock. A grandfather clock has three basic sections. The top
years back. I was heading out of the house with two appraisals is the bonnet or hood, the middle section is the trunk, and the bottom
Ion the schedule and, afterward, a stop to restock my inventory is the base. Each of these three basic sections has different appointments
at an antiques mall I had contracted with to sell antiques. or features.
I finished the last of my appraisals at about 3 p.m. and traveled to On this clock, the “bonnet”
the antiques mall location. When I pulled into the parking lot, a dealer or “hood” is removable to expose
friend was pulling out a longcase grandfather clock from his vehicle, the inner brass clockwork.
intending to display it for sale in the mall. We greeted each other and The iron face plate that
he asked what I had purchased lately. I mentioned a boxed pair of connected the brass clock works
1860s gambler’s derringers and I saw his face turn to joy. He asked to the face reads “Osborne’s
what I needed for the pair, and I told him. He said, “I must have them,” Manufactory Birmingham.”
and then proceeded to tell me Osborne was a foundry in
he did not have all the money Birmingham England that sup-
needed to purchase them. I plied iron clock face attachment
glanced at the grandfather clock plates to many clockmakers of
next to him and told him I was the late 1700s. Other than this
interested in working a trade on marking, the brass clockworks
the clock. I did not even inspect are unmarked, but it is my
it but looked at it and fell in love opinion that they were manufac-
with it. tured in Wales or England.
After we worked a trade for
Hood the clock, I told him I forgot to
ask a most important question:
Does it work? He said it did.
However, I understood when two
seasoned clock or pocket watch
guys are dealing, the working
guarantee on an antique time- Removable “bonnet” exposes the inner brass clockwork.
piece is usually “from my hand to
yours.” I did not care as I had It is heavily carved
been tinkering with clocks since I on the front and is
was 8-years old. It was a beautiful comprised of the pedi-
clock and most importantly we ment which in the case
both were happy with our trade. I of this clock is a split
never realized when I awoke that swan neck pediment
morning that I would come due to the graceful
across such a beautiful clock. My curves of the top of the
friend knew nothing else about clock. On each end of
the clock other than he liked it. the split pediment are
Driving home, I decided I brass round bullseye
would treat the clock as if I was escutcheons. On each
appraising it for a client. As an side of the split pedi-
appraiser, I could never use my ment are wooden
Trunk own appraisal for insurance necks, and at the top Pediment
because of the conflict of interest. of each neck are brass
I own it so I cannot appraise it. If finials. The center of
I needed an insurance appraisal, I the split pediment is a
would have to hire another wooden neck and a
appraiser with no interest in the brass Planton.
item to appraise it for me, so this On the sides of
one was just for fun. the hood below the
When I arrived home and set pediment are two
the clock up it worked. The old hand-carved heads.
clock was a time, on the hour The front of the hood
chime and calendar grandfather is a glass front upper
clock. After running for 24 door. Opening this
hours, I noticed that the chime door exposes the dial
and calendar did not work the plate and enables the
Base way they should, but it kept clock to be wound and
good time. time set. The Dial is
The clock measures 93 inches hand-painted with a
tall, 22 inches wide, and 9 inches floral design on the 4
deep. To thoroughly assess this corners of a metal face.
piece, it is especially important to It has a day calendar in
The whole clock know the basic anatomy of a an arc cut into the face. Hand carved head

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