A Brief History of the Mantel Clock
In ancient times, telling the time was done with the help of shadows and sun dials and later with the hour glass. Then, as technology developed the first mechanical clocks were developed. These mechanical clocks did not have arms and had no visible numbers on the face of the clock. Each hour, the clock struck a bell to signify the passing of one hour. This development came in the late 1200’s and it was not until the latter part of the 14th century that we began to see an hour hand and numbers on clock faces. Most of these early clocks were on church towers and many churches today still have impressive clock and bell tower designs.
It would not be until the seventeenth century that Christian Huygens first made a clock that included a pendulum to keep time more accurately. The first pendulum clocks were very large, as the longer the pendulum, the more accurate the clock. The pendulum on a clock is adjustable so that the clock can be sped up by raising the pendulum and slowed by lowering the pendulum. Huygen was not the first to design a clock using a pendulum, however. Galileo, the famous astronomer, incorporated a pendulum into his clock design, but died before he could construct the clock.
The first domestic clocks were found almost exclusively in the homes of the wealthy upper classes. The first designs featured long pendulums and required the clock to be higher off the ground. Grandfather clocks have this design and usually come to mind when one mentions clocks that stand high off the ground and have long pendulums. Mantle clocks (also spelled as mantel) came about in the eighteenth century in France.
The mantle clock is small enough to sit on a table or, as their name implies, on one’s mantle above a fireplace. They originated from bracket clocks, which were small and weight driven, so they had to be hung on a wall. Mantle clocks look similar in appearance, but their ability to sit free of a wall distinguishes mantle clocks from bracket clocks. English clock-makers began making mantle clocks shortly after France introduced them to the world and would become the home to Europe’s premier clock-makers.
Many mantle clocks came with a couple of decorative ornaments that matched the clock; this was fashionable in the first years of its popularity. Mantle clocks have always, since their invention, been sought after as exquisite decorations to any home and mantelpiece. Many mantle clocks have grown into some very valuable antique mantle clocks. These antique mantle clocks are now collected throughout the world and revered for their splendor the world over.
It would not be until the seventeenth century that Christian Huygens first made a clock that included a pendulum to keep time more accurately. The first pendulum clocks were very large, as the longer the pendulum, the more accurate the clock. The pendulum on a clock is adjustable so that the clock can be sped up by raising the pendulum and slowed by lowering the pendulum. Huygen was not the first to design a clock using a pendulum, however. Galileo, the famous astronomer, incorporated a pendulum into his clock design, but died before he could construct the clock.
The first domestic clocks were found almost exclusively in the homes of the wealthy upper classes. The first designs featured long pendulums and required the clock to be higher off the ground. Grandfather clocks have this design and usually come to mind when one mentions clocks that stand high off the ground and have long pendulums. Mantle clocks (also spelled as mantel) came about in the eighteenth century in France.
The mantle clock is small enough to sit on a table or, as their name implies, on one’s mantle above a fireplace. They originated from bracket clocks, which were small and weight driven, so they had to be hung on a wall. Mantle clocks look similar in appearance, but their ability to sit free of a wall distinguishes mantle clocks from bracket clocks. English clock-makers began making mantle clocks shortly after France introduced them to the world and would become the home to Europe’s premier clock-makers.
Many mantle clocks came with a couple of decorative ornaments that matched the clock; this was fashionable in the first years of its popularity. Mantle clocks have always, since their invention, been sought after as exquisite decorations to any home and mantelpiece. Many mantle clocks have grown into some very valuable antique mantle clocks. These antique mantle clocks are now collected throughout the world and revered for their splendor the world over.
