A Brief History of Mantel Clocks

 
Mantel Clocks - A Statement of the Beauty of Time

A mantel clock will add sophistication to any room.  Commonly placed in the living room or bedroom they make a key statement of design and elegance.  They are perfect not only in telling time accurately but become a highly ornate, decorative ornament that will enhance any room.   Every room should have a clock as a functional means of telling the time, but greater then that that, a mantel clock provides a show piece in your room which will be admired by friends and family as they enter your living space.   Any of our mantels clocks are designed to be eye catching and will bring the meaning of time to life.

A fireplace mantel just doesn't look complete until it's adorned with a fine mantel clock. Our mantel clocks offer chiming, key-wound movements and hand-crafted finishes, along with the same high level of craftsmanship found in the rest of our product line. Invest in one of our mantel clocks and instantly transform your house into a home! 

To view our elegant mantel clocks in more detail, please visit our shop.

Mantel clocks a brief history

Mantel clocks are relatively small house clocks traditionally placed on the shelf, or mantel, above the fireplace.

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In contrast to wall clocks, whose movements were attached to the back board, the shelf/mantel clock had its movement supported by a seat board. Amid the 1790s, in Boston Simon Willard began selling other standardized shelf clocks. Indeed, it looked like a standard tall clock whose hood and base were directly conjoined and whose body was missing. These models included both a second hand and a calendar dial.

Simon Willard's shelf clocks were weight-driven and some models had an extended base for the weight so they achieved a one week running period. Also, they had a pinwheel escapement. Their strike

mechanism was the rack and snail. The pendulum length could be adjusted through a hole in the clock face at the 12 o'clock position, so it wasn't necessary to open the case.

Some latest Shelf Clocks featured two artistically finished glass tablets which were beside the circular dial. The whole clock was mounted on lion paws. Simon Willard's Shelf Clocks were produced until the 1830s.  The Willard Brothers revolutionized the clock manufacturing by both labor division and using multiple previously molded parts. However, it is commonly accepted that historically their clocks weren't definitively popular. Instead, Eli Terry popularized the clock ownership among people. Nowadays, Simon Willard's clocks are recognized as masterpieces. As such, they are avidly sought by both antiquarians and museums.

The small design was not only revolutionary but allowed the clock to sit on a mantel or shelf in a room and blend in with its surroundings in a perfect way. So, more than an ornament of telling time, mantel clocks were also bought and adored by many because of its practical utility. People then were pleasantly surprised and very eager to buy these mantel clocks.

Later watch and other common place Clock manufactures produced mantel clocks that are Musical clocks and/or pendulum clocks. These clocks are typically constructed of wood and metal. They are usually battery powered and can play different melodies every hour on the hour.   Modern clocks can even feature a light sensor that turns off the music when it is dark and a volume control.   Many top end mantel clocks feature a Westminster or Whittington chime.