Chats on Old Clocks

Hayden, Arthur, 1868-1946Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 249K words
Chapters: 25

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. Chats on Old Clocks by Arthur Hayden. Author: Hayden, Arthur, 1868-1946. Language: English. Class: NK: Fine Arts: Decorative and Applied Arts, Decoration and Ornament. Release Date: May 26, 2014.

Editor's review

Chats on Old Clocks is an informal introduction to antique clocks, falling within decorative arts and collecting appreciation. Arthur Hayden writes for general enthusiasts, discussing clock forms, craftsmanship, and period styles rather than serving as a technical manual. Its strength lies in placing objects within domestic life and decorative traditions; the language is accessible, making it suitable as light reading for beginners to antique clocks. The book reflects the collecting tastes and connoisseurship of the author's era, so readers should note its period limitations and not treat it as a basis for contemporary market valuation. It is best read at the early stage of interest to build a first impression of clock types and styles, before turning to more specialized catalogues or technical references.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners interested in antique clocks and decorative arts
Novice collectors seeking an understanding of traditional clock forms and styles
Casual readers who enjoy informal essays on art
Readers preparing knowledge for museum or flea-market viewing

Not a good fit for

Professional horologists needing precision movement structure and repair techniques
Those seeking current antique clock market prices and valuations
Academic researchers expecting systematic dating and rigorous authentication systems

Reading tips

Read through once for an overall impression; don't get bogged down in specific dating details.
Read alongside clock images or actual visits to deepen understanding of forms.
Note the styles and component names mentioned to build your own glossary.
Be cautious about claims concerning authentication and value; verify with modern sources.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can this book be used to authenticate antique clocks?

Not directly as an authentication basis. It is an informal introduction for enthusiasts, discussing the collecting experience and stylistic understanding of the author's time, lacking the systematic standards and market data required for modern authentication. It can serve as background reading, but authenticity judgments still require professional institutions and physical comparison.

Do I need mechanical knowledge of clocks to read this book?

No. The book focuses on forms, decorative styles, and collecting interests rather than movement construction and repair techniques. Basic artistic knowledge is enough; unfamiliar terms can be understood with images, and mechanical details need not be pursued.

Is the content outdated?

Some views carry the limitations of the author's era, especially regarding collecting tastes and value judgments. However, descriptions of clock types, decorative styles, and craft traditions remain useful. Treat the book as a historical introduction rather than a contemporary guide.

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About the author

Hayden, Arthur, 1868-1946 Author

Arthur Hayden (1868–1946) was a British writer on antiques and collecting active from the late nineteenth to the first half of the twentieth century. Public information about him is limited, and the details of his life are difficult to trace. Judging from the eight works held in the collection, he focused on British and European ceramics, silver, furniture and clocks. Most of his titles begin with "Chats on", such as Chats on English China, Chats on Old Silver and Chats on Old Furniture: A Practical Guide for Collectors, and he also wrote a volume on Royal Copenhagen porcelain. This conversational style addresses ordinary collectors in plain language, emphasizing dating, marks and the transmission of connoisseurship. Both informative and practical, his books are representative of collecting literature of their time and are still consulted by readers interested in the writing of antique appreciation.