Antique Skeleton Clocks
Skeleton Clocks, originating in 18th-century France, exemplified the extraordinary talents of French clockmakers. They featured a meticulously crafted brass frame, artfully reduced to reveal the inner clockwork in motion. Resting on marble or wood bases, these timepieces were encased in glass domes, protecting them from dust while inviting close examination of their intricate mechanisms—a stark departure from the typical concealed workings of earlier clocks.
These original French skeleton clocks were the epitome of quality and luxury, reserved for the ultra-wealthy. In the UK, the tradition of crafting skeleton clocks began around 1820 and continued into the 19th century. Over time, these clocks evolved to include striking mechanisms, chiming the hours with gongs, bells, and melodies. Some even took the form of famous architectural structures like cathedrals, showcasing both technical prowess and artistic innovation.
![19th Century English Skeleton Clock.](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/19th_Century_English_skeleton_clock_as1142a062s-6.jpg)
![Comitti The Mayfair Great Wheel Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tyneantiques/comitti_the_mayfair_great_wheel__skeleton_clock_as915a126s.jpg)
![19th Century Striking English Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/19th_Century_striking_English_Skeleton_clock_as1142a055s-4.jpg)
![Domed Skeleton Timepiece With Striking Chapter Ring](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/waltonhouseantiques/Domed_skeleton_Timepiece_with_striking_chapter_rin_as331a5130s.jpg)
![C1850 Skeleton Clock Fusee, Hall Of Manchester](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/thechimes/C1850_Skeleton_Clock_Fusee_Hall_Of_Manchester_rc003a313s.jpg)
![Congreve Rolling Ball Skeleton Clock, Multi Dial](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/antiquesandchic/Congreve_Rolling_Ball_Skeleton_as1062a686s.jpg)
![19th Century Small Size English Skeleton Timepiece](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/19th_Century_small_size_Englis_as1142a046s.jpg)
![English Passing Strike Skeleton Clock By Quilliam](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/English_passing_strike_skeleto_as1142a045s-5.jpg)
![English Skeleton Timepiece By Dyson Of Windsor](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/English_skeleton_timepiece_by__as1142a042s-4.jpg)
![Rolling Ball Congreve Fusee Skeleton Clock.](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/antiquesandchic/Rolling_Ball_Congreve_Fusee_Sk_as1062a639s-1.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/reserved.png)
![Skeleton Clock In Domed Glass Case C1910](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/timeflies/Skeleton_Clock_in_Domed_Glass__as1089a027s.jpg)
![Alabaster Lion Mantel Clock, Skeleton Clock Face](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/timeflies/Alabaster_Lion_Mantel_Clock_Sk_as1089a015s.jpg)
![Fine 19th Ct. Skeleton Clock, Circa 1875](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Fine_19th_ct_Skeleton_Clock_ci_as920a207s-6.jpg)
![Brass Fusee Skeleton Timepiece, John Pace](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/carltonclocks/Brass_fusee_Skeleton_Timepiece_as392a615s.jpg)
![Quarter-chiming Westminster Abbey Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/carltonclocks/Quarterchiming_Westminster_Abb_as392a601s.jpg)
![Long Duration Pyramid Skeleton Clock By John Pace](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/carltonclocks/Long_duration_Pyramid_Skeleton_as392a558s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Rare 19th Century Long Duration English Skeleton.](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/Rare_19th_Century_long_duration_English_skeleton_as1142a065s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Great Wheel Skeleton Clock With Dust Cover](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Great_Wheel_skeleton_clock_with_dust_cover_as920a561s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Stylish Jaeger Lecoultre Acrylic Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/osbourneantiques/Stylish_Jaeger_Lecoultre_Acrylic_Skeleton_Clock_as824a2483s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Mappin & Webb Kieninger Glass Mantel Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/meloriumantiques/Mappin__Webb_Kieninger_Glass_Mantel_Clock_as1127a078s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Skeleton Clock, Dent Of London](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/frankcraigantiques/Skeleton_clock_Dent_of_London_as920a524s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Mid 19th Century English Passing Strike Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tempusantiqueclocks/Mid_19th_Century_English_passing_strike_Skeleton_c_as1142a054s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Skeleton Timepiece With Silvered Chapter Ring](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/waltonhouseantiques/Skeleton_Timepiece_with_Silver_as331a4940s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Antique Brass Large Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/meloriumantiques/Antique_Brass_Large_Skeleton_C_as1127a055s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![A Victorian Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/kemberyclocks/A_Victorian_Skeleton_Clock_as579a3108s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Small Mid 19th Century English Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/mctaylor/Small_Mid_19th_Century_English_as1197a057s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![A Small French Skeleton Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/kemberyclocks/A_Small_French_Skeleton_Clock_as579a3006s.jpg)
![](http://antiquesatlas.com/images/sold.png)
![Victorian Skeleton Clock On Original Mable Plinth](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sturmansantiques/Victorian_Skeleton_Clock_on_Or_as521a4129s.jpg)