A Brief History of Mantle Clocks

Mantle clocks are small clocks meant for the house that is usually placed on the shelf, or mantle, located above the fireplace. This is how the term actually evolved. The form of the mantle clock was first developed in France in the early 1750’s, and noticeably had no handle on top of the case unlike carriage clocks. This is because carriage clocks were designed to be taken around in a carriage, so they need to have a handle to make it easier to carry them.

However, mantle clocks were designed to stay on the mantle and to form part of the house decoration, which is why they are usually very ornate, extravagant and artistic. Traditionally, carriage clocks are made only of brass. This is the reason why clocks which are made of brass and which do not have handles are sometimes called carriage clocks instead of mantle clocks. Traditionally, mantle clocks are made of porcelain, ormolu or wood. This is why clocks which are made of wood and which has handles are sometimes called mantle clocks instead of carriage clocks.

In the 1860’s, most French companies made mantle clocks using slate, onyx and marble. These were very expensive materials to use, pushing up the price. When American companies began to manufacture their own version, they decided to use cherry or oak wood and iron. Sometimes, even brass was used to make elaborate, well designed clocks that are much cheaper.

Putting an antique mantle clock at your house is a very classy idea. However, authentic antiques are very expensive as you can imagine. If you want to buy mantle clocks cheap, you may want to consider buying reproductions, which look very similar to the antique. However, reproductions cost only a fraction of the price of an antique, which is why it is often the more practical choice.

You can look for reproductions in various specialty stores, or you can search online for reproduction mantle clocks for sale. You’ll usually find a host of sites that are selling these, but check only the reputable sellers. After all, you don’t want to end up paying for an item that will never reach you because the seller turned out to be a scammer. You can also check eBay and other auction sites and put a bid on the mantle clock that you prefer. Remember to set a maximum amount you’re willing to pay for this item though.