By Anne Gilbert

Carriage clocks are a favorite with collectors, and they're plentiful. There were more carriage clocks made from the late 18th to early 20th century than any other type of clock.

One reason for carriage clocks' popularity is that there is a price for every budget. The Oct. 5 Skinner auction in Boston offered 24 opportunities and a surprise. A rather plain-looking English Georgian ebonized repeating carriage clock with an estimate of $2,500-3,500 went for $14,100. An expert collector recognized its importance. It was marked "Barwise," for John Barwise of London (1790-1842). While not the most showy, it had important provenance.

On the other hand, a true beauty, a French aesthetic movement porcelain mounted repeating alarm carriage clock, late 19th century, fetched $4,994. It had been estimated at $3,000-5,000.

To early 19th travelers, carriage clocks were as important as luggage. Like luggage, the clocks had carrying handles and cases. Rarely are they found with their cases these days.

There are many types of carriage clocks, including oval forms and miniatures. The most common are rectangular with plain brass frames. Sometimes the frames were polished and finished with a clear lacquer or gilded. Some were elaborately engraved with floral or foliate motifs. When frames are of dore' bronze, popular in France from the late 19th to early 20th century, prices rise.

Rarities are the carriage clocks in oval cases made by J. Soldano (1855-80) of Geneva and Paris. His pieces are stamped "JS."

Most carriage clocks are eight-day duration. Some have simple works while others can be very complicated. While most strike with a gong, more desirable clocks have a bell. Collectors also look for additional features, such as an alarm and calendar dials.

Since antique carriage clocks have a serial number stamped on the movement or on the dial, they can be dated by records. If they are French, they were stamped on the clock movement with the maker's name. If there is an English name on a French clock, it identifies the shop that sold it. Exceptions are top-quality French clocks with no name.

Among the most beautiful are French clocks with decorated panels. The materials used were cloisonnČ, decorated porcelain and colored enamel and ebony with brass detailing. Designs often reflected popular styles of the times, such as Renaissance Revival and Art Nouveau.

English carriage clocks usually were gilded brass and the hands blued steel. Carrying cases were mahogany.

Many collectors search only for miniatures with workmanship as good as full-size carriage clocks. Because of their size, many weren't signed. Miniatures were made in three sizes: 13/4 to 41/4 inches high. They do not have a mechanism that lasts eight days, but some have alarms or striking works.

Contact Anne Gilbert by mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Photos cannot be returned.