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Skeleton Clock Shows Off Its Bones

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By JAY MOORE, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 26, 2008

I read your column about fusee clocks and I hope you can help me to determine the value of mine. It is a metal clock that I had a cabinet made for because the original glass dome was broken.

D.R.

St. Stephens Church, Va.

It is a skeleton clock. Skeleton clocks and watches were designed to expose the innards of a mechanical movement, including gears, wheels and springs.

They were especially popular in England during the 19th century.

Fusee refers to a type of movement used in clocks and watches; it is not a style, such as a shelf clock. This clock does have a fusee movement. Skeleton clocks usually were mounted on plinths, covered by a glass dome.

This English skeleton clock would retail for $650. It probably is well worth the cost of restoration, including cleaning and a new glass dome. Reproduction glass domes are available from Fine Home Displays, 1-866-381-2343.

Note that skeleton clocks and watches have been heavily reproduced.

Among the antiques I have collected over the years is a trunk that I bought for $50. It is in good condition, although it is missing one handle. Do you think it is worth that much now?

A.B.

Wesley Chapel

Trunks were designed for travel. Early ones usually were made of softwood, covered with leather secured by brass tacks. Later trunks such as this one were factory-made, covered with embossed leather or metal.

Trunks including this one are variously called dome tops, camel backs or hump backs. They all were manufactured in factories and date from around the turn of the 20th century. I cannot identify the covering from the photo.

It would retail for about $100. If you want to replace the handle, check out vandykes.com. The company sells many restoration parts for old trunks.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroid

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