Different Types of Wood Used for Antique Clocks
If you are looking for one-of-a-kind decorative pieces for your home that are also functional, antique clocks are always worth your investment. Antique furniture pieces are a great addition to any home, and clocks are a great way to start your collection. Clocks that are intricately designed can liven up even the dullest wall.
If you are looking for antique clocks for your home, then you are in the right place. It is vital that you know more about the materials used for the antique clock you are eyeing to ensure that it’s the right choice for your home’s aesthetics. Read on to learn about the different types of wood that antique clocks come in so you can make an informed decision when you make your purchase:
Various Types of Wood Used for Antique Clocks
Because antique clocks come from different times, different places, and are made by different people, it’s not surprising that they come in various types of wood as well. Here are some of the most common types of wood used in antique clocks:
Black Walnut
Black walnut is a sturdy type of hardwood that is decay-resistant. That said, you should know that this particular type of wood is vulnerable to insect infestation. An interesting thing you should know about walnut wood is that its colour is based on which part of the tree the timber is sourced from. The heartwood can be light to dark chocolate brown, while the sapwood is often lighter in shade, ranging from yellow to almost white. Some walnut woods also come in grey, purple, or red hue. Black walnut has straight grain typically, but black walnut wood tends to have a curly or wavy pattern. It has a smooth finish, too.
Cherry
Cherry is also one of the more popular types of wood that are used for furniture and other woodwork, thanks to its unique color and smooth finish. This hardwood is medium in density, but it’s durable despite its flexibility. Many artisans prefer Cherry because it’s easy to cut, carve, and turn into any form the artist wishes to do. The colors of cherry can be between yellowish to reddish-brown, but the wood turns darker as it ages, gets exposed to light, and oxidises.
Maple
Most clockmakers like working with males because of how beautiful this type of wood is; its creamy and light colour turns dark over time, too, as most hardwood types do. Its pattern can either be fine and straight or wavy, rippled, or bird’s eye grain. This type of wood is resistant to cracking and warping, so it lasts long despite fluctuations in humidity and temperature.
Oak
Oakwood has some of the most desirable characteristics that make it one of the best materials for clocks. It is hardwood, which tells you that it is non-porous and dense. It is also moisture-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about expansion and shrinkage. Oak contains lots of tannins, so it’s highly resistant to insects and fungi. Among the many oak species, red oak and white oak are two of the most widely used, thanks to their durability and strength.
Oak has straight grains, which are more evident in white and red oak. Colours usually turn darker in time when exposed to UV light and oxygen.
So, What’s the Best Type of Wood for Antique Clocks?
These are some of the most common types of wood that are used in antique clocks and even other antique furniture pieces. But which one of them is the best? Depending on what you are looking for, one of these types of wood can look perfect on your wall or any surface you wish to display it on. Hopefully, the information you learned here will help you decide which one is the best choice for your home.
If you are looking for antique clocks in Adelaide, you should see our clock collections at Cavalier Antiques and Restorations. You’ll find incredible finds from between 1700 to 1920. Check out our finest antique clocks and other antique furniture pieces today!