The History of The Mantle Clocks?

The highly ornate and decorative works of mantle clocks are usually made up of materials such as wood, ormolu, and porcelain. They can be constructed from any combination of these materials. Strictly speaking, mantel clocks are those small conventional house clocks that are placed on shelves, above the fireplace, or mantel (which is, as you can see, where the name comes from).

In France, during the 1750s, the development and design of the mantel clock began. Though they may be similar to other chamber clocks, but their difference is easily distinguished by the lack of carrying handles, which chamber clocks have.

Another early and yet famous design of the mantel clock was made by a notable clock maker known as Simon Willard. In Boston, Massachusetts, and during the early decades of the 19th century, he furthered the design of these early mantel clocks and patented his own and called it The Simon Willard Shelf Clock. As years passed, he redesigned these shelf clocks and made improvements while having a semblance of the traditional Bracket clocks of the time.

The mantel clock specifications are completely different from the wall clocks. The movements of the wall clock are attached to the clocks back board and the mantel clock movements are supported by its seat board.

Before patenting his own design, Simon Willard was selling other standard shelf clocks during the 1790s. It looked very much like other conventional tall clocks except that their base and hood were conjoined directly and it minimized the body which made it look like it was cut in between. These early models already had a calendar dial ingeniously built into them as well as a second hand that was almost uncommon during those times.

The designs of Simon Willard were basically driven by weight. Some models had extended bases to balance the weight, allowing them to achieve a longer running time of one week. The also included pinwheel escapements. And the strike mechanisms were of rack and snail. The length of the pendulum of the mantel clocks were adjusted easily through a hole in the face of the clock, placed at the 12th hour position. This made the opening of the case unnecessary.

During those times, the clocks weren’t really considered trendy because Eli Terry was considered to be the best mainstream hit. These days however, Simon Willard’s clocks are considered as masterpieces of American innovation. They’re eagerly sought after by museums and antique collectors and dealers. Ranging as high as $250,000 and as low as $50,000, these clocks can be bought anywhere at that price as long as they’re in perfect condition.

Seiko and Rhythm Small World Clocks are companies which produce modern designs of these clocks. In their designs they use combinations of metal, wood and other materials develop by today’s technologically. These modern clocks are powered by standard batteries and have the feature of playing about 15 different tunes each hour. Designs vary. Some features are light sensors, volume control, automatic turnoff of music at night. Mantle clocks designed by Seiko have Westminster tunes or Whittington melodies.

A mantel clock is a symbol of American ingenuity. It is a masterwork of master craftsmen that touches on historical and yet timeless beauty.