What are mantel clocks and why is it that Online Clock has Mantel Clock Fever today?
Well, ever since the mid-1700s, mantel clocks have been a popular accessory adorning the tops of fireplaces.
Mantel: the shelf above a fireplace which may be also a structural support for the masonry of the chimney (source: Wiktionary.org)
The French are credited with designing the first mantel clocks. When most people hear “mantel clock”, they think of a round clock face encased in a setting with sides that taper to a lower height than the face of the clock. While this design of mantel clock has long been one of the most popular and timeless styles, the original mantel clocks looked much different.
Some of the first mantel clocks were influenced by the original chamber clock design.
Behold the Chamber Clock, cousin of the Mantel Clock!
Chamber clocks are best described by keeping the classic cuckoo clock style clock in mind, but without the emerging characters serenading at the top of the hour. Similar to this style, ornate chamber clocks generally hung on the wall and had long weight chains that had to be pulled to regulate them. This style was popular until the early 1700s and was soon after replaced by mantel clocks. Early mantel clocks were very ornate, often including not only the clock in its designed casing, but also two matching decorative panels or artifacts to place on either side of the central clock piece. Another popular early design included all three of these elements, but each of them were situated upon the paws of a lion (which sounds very cool…a lion guarding your home).
With the dawning of the 19th century, houses were built with more consideration toward appearance and practicality, rather than practicality alone. Because of this, homes usually featured a sitting room or parlor with a large fireplace. By this time mantel clocks were at the height of their popularity. Nearly every home had some form of this stylish timepiece sitting above the fireplace.
While ornate designs with complementing separate panels were still commonly found, mantel clocks began to branch out into many styles. Although countless personalized and trendy designs were sought, the French Empire style mantel clock always remained an elegant classic. This style is still found today, appreciated for its timeless beauty boasting intricate eye-catching details.
Please meet the very extroverted French Empire Mantel Clock.
During the early 19th century most mantel clocks were either 8-day weight-driven or pendulum driven. One design that gained popularity not only as a mantel clock, but a convenient portable clock was the carriage clock.
Small in size and encased in a glass container, a carriage clock had a handle on the top of the case for easy toting. Many of the carriage clocks were powered by means of a platform escapement. In addition to being used upon the tops of fireplace mantels, the carriage clock also inspired smaller encased designs for mantel clocks. The difference between the two was that the mantel clocks derived from this style were made of more delicate materials, featuring significantly more ornate designs and were usually not suitable for traveling because of their delicacy.
Carriage Clock: forerunner of the Travel Alarm Clock ?!
When the mid-1850s began, mantel clocks were found in every size, shape and form. Some mantel clocks were designed as miniature grandfather clocks. Clock faces set in carefully crafted and carved casings sprawling the entire length of the mantel were a coveted item of luxury. During this time period, simple round clock faces set in metal, porcelain, wood or glass sculptures were becoming popular. Some designs featured figures such as a horse attached to a carriage with the clock’s face as a wheel, while others included two sweet-faced porcelain cherubs looking lovingly at the clock face they appeared to be holding up. Nearly any personalized design a person could think of would happily be crafted by any timepiece craftsman for the right price.
One of the most well-known mantel clock craftsmen of the 19th century was an American man named Simon Willard. Before the 19th century, he crafted a “shelf clock” which also influenced the evolution of styles among smaller mantel clocks.
Ahoy, mateys! It's Simon Willard's Lighthouse Clock
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary styles of mantel clocks created by Simon Willard was the Lighthouse Clock. This style reflected that of a lighthouse and served as a decorative piece, but was also the first alarm clock made in the United States. Powered by an eight-day weight and pendulum, this clock became a hot commodity quickly in 1818, maintaining its popularity for a little over ten years for the dual features. Willard’s mantel clock designs continued to be highly coveted for many years, as were the clocks of his equally talented brothers.
Another famous craftsman of mantel clocks during this era was Seth Thomas. Most of his designs were tower, box and pillar clocks for mantels. Ansonia, Eli Terry and Waterbury were also timepiece producers well-known for quality mantel clocks with attractive designs. While the Swiss and French are credited with the invention of many stylistic and technological revolutions in timepiece history, the majority of mantel clock sales were afforded to American companies and craftsmen, who seemed to produce the widest variety of popular designs.
Today mantel clocks are still sold and purchased throughout the world, mostly as a novelty.
With the coming of electric and gas heat, fireplaces became less popular in home designs; coupled with the popularity of cheap wall clocks growing, mantel clocks became even less common.
Mantel Clocks have dwindled in number because their natural habitat has largely disappeared (i.e., fewer & fewer homes have fireplaces).
Most mantel clocks today reflect the simple timeless tapered style mentioned earlier, powered by batteries or electricity and regulated by quartz. Modern mantel clocks may be found for as low as $30 and upwards of $1,000 for intricate designs made with precious materials.
Clock collectors and antique lovers still appreciate the beauty and value of these timeless timepieces of days past.
Some mantel clocks are in fact very valuable on the antique market today.
Clocks crafted by Simon Willard or his brothers are some of the most valuable, often priced above $5,000. Seth Thomas designs are next in the line of most sought-after antique mantel clocks. Ornate early French designs from independent craftsmen and the famous original French Empire designs are also very valuable today, often priced over $1,000. The glory days of the mantel clock fever may be over, but they are still a very valuable and attractive conversation piece for those who appreciate a unique time-telling device.
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