Wall Clocks Review
Archive for November, 2009
The English Lantern Clock manufactured circa 1300 was a massive and a rather cumbrous timekeeping mechanism. Then later in the 1500′s the Royal Houses of Europe engaged clock makers to create beautiful baroque time pieces for their magnificent castles. It was during this time that the technical expertise of clocks advanced to the quality of shelf clocks becoming quite the trend.
Clock makers continued to improve their skills, and manufactured smaller clocks, which looked charming when placed upon a mantel, shelf or bureau. When placed in an open space family and guests could admire the brilliance of these stunning creations.
The Antique Mantel Clock is likely the most popular of all manufactured clocks created over the last two centuries. The English by far produced the majority of all mantle clocks throughout the eighteenth century, whereas during the nineteenth century clock makers in France and Germany took over and manufactured Mantel Clocks in vast numbers.
During the early years of the 19th Century Antique Mantel Clocks were immensely popular,and construction of the clocks increased substantially. Today mantel clocks remain high on the popularity index.
The French people owned Mantle Clock sets. These were highly embellished time pieces consisting of two separate ornaments that sat next to the centroidal mantle clock. These timepieces were primarily manufactured in the early 1800′s and are still highly popular and sought after today.
The whole concept of a Mantel Clock ensured the clock could be created in a way to fit on the fireplace mantel. Mantel Clocks are similar in looks to the Bracket Clock, but in most cases the Mantel Clock is much smaller.
As time elapsed, the large living-room mantelpiece gradually diminished in size and clocks also diminished in size and width.
Mantel is a term derived from the design and shelving surrounding a fireplace. Long ago people used the home fireplace to heat the entire house. This was the location where families cooked meals, and the central area where folks gathered in the evening.
Thus, the mantel became the perfect site on which to place a clock. The new clock acquired the name Mantel Clock for the chimney piece upon which it rested..
Today many architects design homes which use minimal materiels in their construction. As a result, many modern homes do not feature a fireplace mantel, and this missing item may spell disaster if one wishes to display a beautiful Mantel Clock.
Cuckoo Clocks
Practically, every person knows the sounds and characteristics of a Cuckoo Clock. Cuckoo Clocks come in various sizes and shapes from the extremely tiny Lux Pendulette novelty clocks created for children and only about 3 inches high, to unusually large ones. Some Cuckoo Clocks display the hour and minute only. Other cuckoos and strike on the hour and half hour and some Cuckoos also include music.
Regulator Clocks
Sometimes known as Vienna regulators ‘which are top’ of the line clocks and are supremely accurate. Regulator clocks have long, heavy pendulums, and may display only the time. Some clocks may include the mechanism to strike the hours on chime rods or a gong.
Other Wall Clocks but less well-known are the Ship’s bell clock, English Tavern clock, Figure 8 clock, Wag-on-the-Wall Clock, Advertising wall clock, and the Hooded clock.
Calendar Clocks
Calendar clocks originated in the late 17th century. Now many Mantel and Wall Clocks have the means to display the date and time.
The first person to be granted a patent for this clock, and first to mass produce the clock was John Haws of Itheca, NY in 1873. The best clocks could not only adjust for not only the exact day in the month but also for the extra day in Leap Year.
Some basic styles of the Calendar Clock had an extra hand added to the dial. Two hands told the hour and minute while the extra hand pointed to the date.
Finer clocks boasted two dials. One dial displayed the time and the second dial showed the date.
Gallery Wall Clocks
Gallery Wall Clocks look remarkably similar to the Octagon Clock, but it lacks the drop for the pendulum. Public buildings typically use the Gallery Wall Clocks as a means of displaying the time because the dial is easily read and the numbers can be easily read.
Banjo Clocks.
Simon Willard invented Banjo Wall Clocks in 1802. The Banjo Clock is so named because Willard created the clock case in the form of a banjo. Usually, the Banjo Clock does not feature the striking mechanism which is a typical component of a true clock. The Banjo clock was hugely popular in the 1800′s. Featured below the dial is a low-waisted throat and a rectangular box containing a pendulum.
This time piece does not look like a banjo ‘however’ the clock dial somewhat resembles the circular head of the banjo. A finial atop the dial of the time piece at the 12 o’clock position is a brass ornament that traditionally takes the form of an eagle or an acorn. . Many other members of the Willard family copied the clock as did other creators of clocks. Other clock makers built variants of the banjo style clock including models with diamond shaped or square shaped dials.
The Octagon Wall Clocks are quite large and commonly found communal buildings such as offices, schools, and workplaces. Another name for the Octagon is the office clock or school house clock. Pendulums on the clock rate their classification depending on the length of clock’s pendulums ‘which are either’ short drop, or long drop.
Arts and Crafts Clocks – Often called Mission clocks, they arrived circa 1900 and matched the furniture styles of that time.
While we rarely take the time to notice it or even think about it, a clock’s timekeeping element is perhaps its most important component. The parts of the clock we can easily see – its face, the hands, and the design of the frame – would be basically useless without an effective method of keeping time. Some clocks, such as cuckoos and other pendulum-based types, require winding on a weekly basis just to keep time accurately.
Cuckoo clocks are often appreciated for their antique charm and the ingenuity of their inner workings. However, for those of us interested in keeping time with confidence and precision, there is no substitute for a radio controlled clock. These timepieces draw use a radio frequency to sync up with the national atomic clock. This method of time calibration is more accurate than any other that has been devised so far.
Wall Clocks are attractive time pieces which become the main focal point when affixed the wall of any room in the home. A prominent American clock maker by the name of Simon Willard gained recognition for creating and designing the Banjo Clock. In his early years Willard studied horology with his older brothers and created clocks. We believe that Simon Willard built the first Wall Clocks and introduced the clocks to the public circa 1770.
It was these early clocks that lead the way for the upsurge of clock manufacturing that commenced in 17th Century New England. It was not uncommon at that time for the clock maker to create the inner workings of the clock, and then he might hire another person to make the cabinet or the outer covering of the clock.
Around 1820 almost all of the tall clock manufacturing ceased in America. Clock makers began creating smaller clocks. Clock makers needed lesser amounts of resources to manufacture clocks, and this measure reduced the price of clocks to middle America. The new clocks could hang on the wall or sit on the fireplace mantel. A new fashion in clocks arose. Now most folks wanted the new Wall Clocks and Mantel or Shelf Clocks.
When situated correctly a Big Clock can certainly have a sensational effect on a spacious wall. Hanging amidst elegant furnishings an Oversized Wall Clock often brings a vintage and classic quality to the room.
Large Wall Clocks make an impressive presentation and add to the decore of any room. Whatever you choose as your best-loved style you can improve your home, office or business lobby with a practical, beautiful time piece.
An Oversized Wall Clock also makes a revered and enduring housewarming gift, wedding gift, or for that memorable occasion for a dear friend.
Enhance the design of your room by placing an Oversized Clock on your wall. What ever is your style of choice, you can beautify your business lobby, home or office with a beautiful functional time piece.