Mantle Clocks

Mantle clocks come in every shape and size. Silent, chiming, bronze, tin, wood, ceramic, you name it. A few classic mantle clocks come from American craftsmen Seth Thomas and Howard Miller. One very popular design is known as an Anniversary Clock or a Torsion Pendulum Clock. It`s like a clock under glass. Beautiful.

Antique Mantle clocks are often wound with a key that is kept in the back of the clock. Be sure not to wind the clock too tightly though, as you can break the springs, or have it retract and the key spin in your hand!

When it comes to collectible clocks, you'll find the most variety of antique mantle clocks. There`s just so many! Be sure to check out the copious listings for vintage mantle clocks on eBay. You never know what you're going to find.

Mantle clocks are very convenient in that they are so lightweight and portable. They can be moved from fireplace mantel to end table, to shelf with ease. The first mantel clocks were produced in France in the mid Eighteenth Century. At the time they were first invented, they were similar to earlier styles of small decorative clocks, but they did not include carrying handles. Mantle clocks have historically been very intricate and ornate, featuring breathtaking sculpture and carving work. They are usually manufactured from porcelain, wood, or a other pliable material.

If you have ever seen the Disney movie 'Beauty and the Beast', you might remember the character 'Cogsworth'. Cogsworth was a walking talking animated version of a classic French mantel clock! Seiko and Ryhthm Small World both manufacture some nice modern mantle clocks that play music or include pendulums. Most of these newer mantel clocks are made of wood and metal. They usually use a battery, and the music ones will sometimes allow you to play many different tunes. Some include a light sensing feature that controls the music and have volume controls. Most of the Seiko models will play the Westminster or Whittington chime sequences.

Simon Willard was a well known Boston-based clock maker in the 1800`s and produced many popular clock styles of the time. The Simon Willard`s Shelf Clock was a mantle clock model that was a top seller for it`s functionality and low price. These clocks are hot collector`s items today. Willard was also the inventor of the Banjo clock and made many other innovative timepieces.

The Willard-designed Massachusetts Shelf clock was a mantle clock based upon the earlier bracket clock, but it featured some modifications. The clock`s movements laid on a seat board rather than being attached to a back board. He also produced a standardized shelf clock which had a similar appearance toa tall clock, but the hood and base were joined directly without the body of the clock in the middle. They also feature a second hand and a calendar dial.

Simon Willard used a weight driven mechanism in his clocks, and so he produced some of them with an extended base to make room for the falling load. Being built this way allowed them to run for a week at a time between windings. The modulation of the pendulum was controlled by an adjusting socket at the clock face`s XII position. This had the benefit of allowing adjustments to be made without opening the rear clock case.