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    • Bracket ClocksBracket Clocks. A bracket clock is a style of antique portable table clock made in the 17th and 18th centuries. The term originated with small weight-driven pendulum clocks (sometimes called ‘true bracket clocks’) that had to be mounted on a bracket on the wall to allow room for their hanging weights. When spring-driven clocks were developed, which didn’t require hanging weights to power them, they continued to be made in the bracket style. Often they are composed of two matching pieces created as an ensemble: the clock and its small decorative shelf. They are almost always made of wood, often ebony, and often ornamented with ormolu mounts, brass inlay, wood or tortoise shell veneer, or decorative varnish. Since in their day clocks were expensive, and a household would not have one in every room, bracket clocks usually had handles to carry them from room to room. These clocks were almost always repeaters, that is striking clocks which could be made to repeat the striking of the hours at the pull of a lever or cord. This feature was used before artificial illumination to tell what time it was at night. However, because they were often used in bedrooms where the…
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Mantel Clocks

This category has information and price guides to antique and vintage mantel clocks. 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.

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. Reference: Wikipedia

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Detouche Garniture
Posted inMantel Clocks

Constantin Louis Detouche

Constantin Louis Detouche was was born in Paris on 10th October 1810. He was a very fine watch and clockmaker who had close ties with both Jacques Francois Houdin and…
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Posted inMantel Clocks
A LOUIS XV PATINATED BRONZE, ORMOLU AND RED HORN STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK ON MUSICAL PLINTH: 'PENDULE AU SANGLIER'
Posted inClock Types Mantel Clocks Musical Clocks

Musical Mantel Clocks

Musical Mantel Clocks. Mantel clocks are ideal for musical movements and have graced stately homes for centuries. Below are some examples of musical mantel clocks including an African Princess clock…
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Posted inClock Types, Mantel Clocks, Musical Clocks
R. Lalique Molded Opalescent Glass Deux Colombes Mantel Clock
Posted inClock Makers Mantel Clocks

Lalique Clocks

Lalique Clocks. The Lalique company was founded by René Lalique in 1888. The company is mainly renown for art glass such as perfume bottles, however, they also produced the casings…
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Posted inClock Makers, Mantel Clocks
Neoclassical French Mantel Clock
Posted inMantel Clocks

French Mantel Clocks

French Mantel are some of the most desirable clocks. They are often more elegant than mantel clocks from other countries. Below are some examples of French Mantel Clocks including a…
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Posted inMantel Clocks

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