Stick clocks kept time in Japan

#MiddleburyCT #StickClocks #Tiffany #Antiques

In 1905, Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity, teaching the world that time is relative. In the science fiction novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” author Douglas Adams declared that “Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so.” And in March of every year, Daylight Savings Time begins, reminding us again that time isn’t absolute as we set our clocks ahead an hour.

Cultures around the world and throughout history have designed clocks that account for the variation in day length across the seasons Stick clocks like this one were used in Japan in the 19th century. (Kovels.com photo)

Historically, there have been many ways to track time and account for the changes in daylight hours that come with the seasons. In some systems, the length of an hour could vary with the time of the year. In 19th-century Japan, stick clocks kept track of days and nights, each divided into six units called “toki.”

In spring and summer, a day toki lasts longer than a night toki, with the opposite in fall and winter. Clocks, therefore, had to be adjustable. Some had interchangeable front plates that could be removed and replaced at different times of the year. Others, like the one pictured, which sold for $5,700 at Cottone Auctions, marked the toki with sliding plates. To a casual viewer, the set of 13 plates down the front of the clock may not be as noticeable as the pierced scrolls and painted flowers and patterns that decorate it. A close look would show that those plates are numbered, and what’s more, they are not evenly spaced.

Q: How can I tell if my Tiffany’s lampshade is an original?

A: Louis Comfort Tiffany’s lamps are some of the most famous and desirable pieces in American decorative arts, and they sell for high prices. Unfortunately, this also means that there are many reproductions and forgeries on the market. There are a few ways to check to see if your lampshade is authentic Tiffany. First, check the metal parts for a mark. Authentic Tiffany lamps are marked “L.C. Tiffany” or “L.C.T.” in capital letters. Check for materials like zinc, resin, painted glass, or plastic; you would never see them in an authentic Tiffany lamp. Take a close look at the glass. Authentic Tiffany glass will have tiny specks of color, called confetti glass. Gold-colored glass will have a translucent amber sheen. Fakes or reproductions will have a silver or greenish sheen. Remember that reproduction and “Tiffany-style” lamps can still sell for high prices.

TIP: A damaged porcelain clock face is difficult to repair. It will lower the price of a clock by 20 to 30 percent.

Current Prices
Mercury glass, candlestick, column stem, knop, urn shape cup, round foot, 14 inches, pair, $190.
Firefighting, extinguisher, O.J. Child & Co., copper, brass fittings, stamped plaques, c. 1920, 24 inches, $495.
Picture, needlework, crewel, throne room scene, man and woman before seated king, reverse painted glass, carved and gilt frame, Harriet Webster, 1826, 31 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches, $550.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.