In French interior design, the influence of the mantel clock had played a very big role in the 1700 until about the mid 1900s. Mantle clocks were a permanent fixture in manor houses, modest dwellings with fireplaces, up to the bigger and more elaborate mansions and castles. In almost every home, each fireplace had a display set or mantelpieces – which were made of up of a mantle clock, matching candle holders, vases and other decorative pieces characteristic of the period being described.
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Exquisite Italian mantle clock-Imperial show pc. 45371 US $299.00 |
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VINTAGE KUNDO MANTLE CLOCK KEY WOUND US $49.99 |
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Hand made mantle clock /key wind/over wound US $0.99 |
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Antique 1901 Ansonia Art Nouveau Figural Mantle Clock US $800.00 |
Mantle clocks were also often found atop heavy chests and drawers, wooden trunks, corner tables and other pieces of furniture that allowed an unobstructed view of the timepiece. The popularity of the mantle clock spread from France to Europe and England, and then to America, largely due to its decorative nature and ease of handling.
In the course of the mantle clock’s history, it has taken on many forms and was made in a range of different materials such as marble, wood and gilded bronze. It was not until the early 19th century that the pendulum’s accuracy was improved with the advent of sturdier springs. From the temperature and humidity - affected silk thread, almost all pendulum clocks were changed in favor of pendulum springs. The more ornamental style that originated from France were changed into curvier cases, and chimes and strikings were added as it gained fame.
Mantle clocks are still favored choice pieces to this day and maintenance is not such a task. They will still run accurately as long as it is well oiled and the spring wound up every week.
Some of the well known mantle and table clocks include a piece from Louis XVI, France approximate year 1780, Paris type, silk thread pendulum suspension, made of white marble and bronze; a piece from Napoleon III, approximate year 1880, made from metal, its dial made of cast metal with 25 enamel cartouches, cast pendulum in the form of the sun, with markings “Le Roy a Paris”; and a large mantle clock with perpetual calendar, moon phase, barometer, and thermometer, circa 1880, made of black Belgian marble, white enamel dials, and a visible Brocot escapement.
