When you are looking for lovely clocks that are narrow enough to be lovingly placed over your fireplace, you'll find that mantel clocks are meant for just this purpose. These clocks come decorated with lovely figures and you'll quickly realize that these clocks are created with gorgeous materials like porcelain, wood and ormolu.
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.
Sometime during the 1790s, Simon Willard was still selling standard shelf clocks. The clocks he sold looked very much like the tall standard clocks, except for the fact that it looked like it had no body. Their base and hood were associated together to make a whole. This early design also consisted of a calendar dial and a 2nd hand (which was somewhat uncommon at that 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.
At the time they were invented, these mantel clocks weren't really as popular as the Eli Terry's Clocks that were all the rage. These days, however, the Simon Willard Clocks are referred to as the true masterpieces in American clock making, and there are many different collectors, both for private collections and for museums who search for them. The prices for a pristine specimen can go as high as 50,000 to 250,000 dollars.
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.
When you are looking for something that will look great in your home as well as symbolize America's creativity, look for a mantel clock; you won't regret it!
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.
Sometime during the 1790s, Simon Willard was still selling standard shelf clocks. The clocks he sold looked very much like the tall standard clocks, except for the fact that it looked like it had no body. Their base and hood were associated together to make a whole. This early design also consisted of a calendar dial and a 2nd hand (which was somewhat uncommon at that 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.
At the time they were invented, these mantel clocks weren't really as popular as the Eli Terry's Clocks that were all the rage. These days, however, the Simon Willard Clocks are referred to as the true masterpieces in American clock making, and there are many different collectors, both for private collections and for museums who search for them. The prices for a pristine specimen can go as high as 50,000 to 250,000 dollars.
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.
When you are looking for something that will look great in your home as well as symbolize America's creativity, look for a mantel clock; you won't regret it!
About the Author:
About the Author: Jerry Westfield has spent many years studying mantel clocks and their mechanics. Jerry is also an expert on mantel clock cases, finishes and their construction.
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