Mantel clocks—or shelf clocks—are relatively small house clocks traditionally placed on the shelf, or mantel, above the fireplace. The form, first developed in France in the 1750s, can be distinguished from earlier chamber clocks of similar size due to a lack of carrying handles.
Mantel clock (around 1800) by Julien Béliard, Paris, maître horloger recorded on the rue Saint-Benôit and rue Pavée in 1777, still active in 1817, or Julien-Antoine Béliard, maître horloger in 1786, recorded on the rue de Hurepoix, 1787–1806.
A Seth Thomas American tambour-style mantel clock, dating to around 1930.
These clocks are often highly ornate, decorative works. They are most frequently constructed from any combination of ormolu, porcelain, and wood. One of the most common and valued types of mantel clocks are the French Empire-style timepieces.
Simon Willard's shelf clock (half clock, Massachusetts shelf clock) was a relatively economical clock which was produced by the celebrated Simon Willard's Roxbury Street workshop, in Boston, Massachusetts, around the first decades of the 19th century. Right after inventing the banjo clock, Simon Willard brought the design further, designing the similar Massachusetts shelf clock which was related to the traditional bracket clocks. Simon's new creation ran for eight days.
In contrast to wall clocks, whose movements were attached to the back board, the shelf clock had its movement supported by a seat board. In the 1790s in Boston, Simon Willard began selling other standardized shelf clocks. Indeed, it looked like a standard tall clock whose hood and base were directly conjoined and whose body was missing. These models included both a second hand and a calendar dial.
Simon Willard's shelf clocks were weight-driven and some models had an extended base for the weight so they achieved a one-week running period. Also, they had a pinwheel escapement. Their strike mechanism was the rack and snail. The pendulum length could be adjusted through a hole in the clock face at the 12 o'clock position, so it was not necessary to open the case.
Some later shelf clocks featured two artistically finished glass tablets which were beside the circular dial. The whole clock was mounted on lion paws. Willard's shelf clocks were produced until the 1830s. The Willard Brothers revolutionized the clock manufacturing by both labor division and using multiple previously molded parts. However, it is commonly accepted that historically their clocks were not definitively popular. Instead, Eli Terry popularized the clock ownership among common American people. Nowadays, Simon Willard's clocks are recognized as American masterpieces. As such, they are avidly sought by both antiquarians and museums. A Simon Willard clock in perfect condition can be purchased for anywhere from $50,000 up to $250,000.
mantel, clock, this, article, does, cite, sources, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, 2009, learn, when, remove. This article does not cite any sources Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Mantel clock news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Mantel clocks or shelf clocks are relatively small house clocks traditionally placed on the shelf or mantel above the fireplace The form first developed in France in the 1750s can be distinguished from earlier chamber clocks of similar size due to a lack of carrying handles Mantel clock around 1800 by Julien Beliard Paris maitre horloger recorded on the rue Saint Benoit and rue Pavee in 1777 still active in 1817 or Julien Antoine Beliard maitre horloger in 1786 recorded on the rue de Hurepoix 1787 1806 A Seth Thomas American tambour style mantel clock dating to around 1930 These clocks are often highly ornate decorative works They are most frequently constructed from any combination of ormolu porcelain and wood One of the most common and valued types of mantel clocks are the French Empire style timepieces Simon Willard s shelf clock half clock Massachusetts shelf clock was a relatively economical clock which was produced by the celebrated Simon Willard s Roxbury Street workshop in Boston Massachusetts around the first decades of the 19th century Right after inventing the banjo clock Simon Willard brought the design further designing the similar Massachusetts shelf clock which was related to the traditional bracket clocks Simon s new creation ran for eight days Contents 1 Specifications 2 Georgian era 3 Victorian decorative arts 4 Edwardian 5 In popular culture 6 See alsoSpecifications EditIn contrast to wall clocks whose movements were attached to the back board the shelf clock had its movement supported by a seat board In the 1790s in Boston Simon Willard began selling other standardized shelf clocks Indeed it looked like a standard tall clock whose hood and base were directly conjoined and whose body was missing These models included both a second hand and a calendar dial Georgian era EditSimon Willard s shelf clocks were weight driven and some models had an extended base for the weight so they achieved a one week running period Also they had a pinwheel escapement Their strike mechanism was the rack and snail The pendulum length could be adjusted through a hole in the clock face at the 12 o clock position so it was not necessary to open the case Victorian decorative arts EditSome later shelf clocks featured two artistically finished glass tablets which were beside the circular dial The whole clock was mounted on lion paws Willard s shelf clocks were produced until the 1830s The Willard Brothers revolutionized the clock manufacturing by both labor division and using multiple previously molded parts However it is commonly accepted that historically their clocks were not definitively popular Instead Eli Terry popularized the clock ownership among common American people Nowadays Simon Willard s clocks are recognized as American masterpieces As such they are avidly sought by both antiquarians and museums A Simon Willard clock in perfect condition can be purchased for anywhere from 50 000 up to 250 000 Edwardian EditCarriage clockIn popular culture EditAn animated figure of a mantel clock Cogsworth is a character in Disney s films Beauty and the Beast 1991 animated voiced by David Ogden Stiers and Beauty and the Beast 2017 live action CGI portrayed by Ian McKellen See also EditBracket clock Chariot clock Connecticut shelf clock French Empire mantel clock Lighthouse clock Massachusetts shelf clock Simon Willard Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mantel clock amp oldid 1113387131, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
