Looking at Mantel Clocks
When you are looking for beautiful clocks to grace your home, you’ll find that mantel clocks, which are narrow and designed to fit on mantels or shelves, might be just the right clock for you. They may be quite plain or they may be decorated with gorgeous porcelain figures, but in many cases, they are usually made from porcelain, ormolu and wood.
The earliest form of these clocks originated in France sometime in the middle of the 18th century. Comparable in size to other chamber clocks, they can be distinguished easily from each other. A chamber clock has a carrying handle, while the mantel clock doesn’t have one.
During the end of the 1700’s, Simon Willard, the famous clock maker, created a design that would change mantel clocks all around the world. With the support of his family, he created the Simon Willard Clock, and he created a distinctive model of clock that was different from those that had come before. His patent went a long way towards changing the way that clocks were created.
Though they may have similarities to wall clocks apart from their size, they actually have totally different mechanisms. The movements of mantel clocks are basically supported by their seat board, while the wall clocks have their movements attached to the backboard.
During the 1790s, Simon Willard was still selling standard shelf clocks and they looked a great deal like tall standard clocks, though they had no body. The hood and the base were associated together to make a complete body and this design came complete with a calender dial and a second hand, though this last was something that was fairly uncommon in the clocks of the time.
These clocks were weight driven, and their extended base went on to help with the weight counterpoint, which gave this clock a running time of one week. There were also run on pinwheel escapements along with the rack and snail for the strike mechanisms. The clock face had a hole in it at the position of the 12th hour, so that adjusting the pendulum weight would not necessitate opening up the clock.
The mantel clocks weren’t really a big hit when they first came out because of Eli Terry’s Clocks (which were considered as superior during that time). Nowadays though, these clocks of Simon Willard are acknowledged as true American masterpieces. Having a high wave of interest among antique collectors like museums or other dealers, their price range is around 50 thousand dollars to almost 250 thousand (so long as they’re in perfect working condition).
Some of the companies that produce modern versions of the mantel clocks today include Seiko Clocks and Rhythm Small World Clocks. They are often made of metal and contain other technological advancements as well, though many manufacturers use old school materials and methods to grant their clocks that air of authenticity. Many of these clocks are powered by batteries and some can play upwards of fifteen variations on popular clock melodies, including Whittington and Westminster tunes. They might have light sensitive sensors that will detect the growing dark, allowing them to shut off the chimes in the evening.
Mantel clocks have long been considered a sign of American ingenuity, and if you are looking for a way to get in touch with the American tradition, you’ll find that that this beautiful clock might belong in your home.