What are Antique Mantel Clocks?

Antique mantel clocks make on a mantle or shelf. They may be complex or simple. However, if they reserve under proper care, their value will often increase over the years. Even though they may come from a ramification of locations and eras, clocks are more than a century old and commonly appear as antiques.

mantel clock
Source:Photo by Kjartan Einarsson on Unsplash

History of Antique Mantel Clock

French craftsmen created the primary mantel clock in the mid-18th century. Their call comes from the fact that they are often placed on mantels above fireplaces. They were developed as an opportunity for a beautiful wall clock. The smaller movements allow the clock to become more compact while retaining the precision of the long pendulums of earlier fashions.

France and England produced the most prolific makers of clocks. The maximum complex clock is among the oldest; they are framed in a decorative scroll and decorated with copper or gold. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, these clocks made their way across the Atlantic and quickly rose in popularity and price.

While many American watches from this period resembled their ECU counterparts, they were made of cheaper materials. For example, Seth Thomas watches are simply as attractive as several French watches, but many of them had veneers on the front that gave the impression of being made with greater individuality.

Function

French clocks, used for a duration, were changing appearance around the same time. Mantel clocks with collectible figurines began to appear; earlier clocks often had entire scroll pieces surrounding the dial, while this more modern era regularly included a dial lined with larger figures.

Watchmakers began experimenting with new woods and metals as the craft advanced. Antique clocks can also be made from porcelain, brass, ceramic, and wood, although iron is the most common material.

Vintage mantel clocks regularly consist of a clock movement that requires winding with a key. The first-class clocks are regularly wound, having been named after their operation. For example, an eight-day clock requires winding every eight days. These clocks are easy to implement because many hallmarks are key and have wound holes in the clock face.

Antique French Mantel Clock Gilt Bronze Circa 1870's With Putti Figurines
Antique French Mantel Clock Gilt Bronze Circa 1870’s With Putti Figurines Source: Ebay

Famous Mantel Clock Manufacturers

Below are some of the popular mantel clock manufacturers:

Distinguishing Antique Mantel Clocks

The two forms of clocks are antique and vintage. The vintage mantel clocks went back at least a century. Anything more youthful appears vintage. In addition, old mantel clocks should not be mistaken for “used” or “second-hand” gadgets.

One of the hallmarks of old clocks is their potential to tell time and chime without the aid of outside forces. They are often coiled and mechanical. In addition, the integrity of its mainspring and the availability of movement located in the back panel set it apart from the competition.

This old mantel clock was decorated with jewels, statues, and figures. They were huge, enclosed in solid wood, finished with moldings from time to time, and sealed with a gold label on the back bearing the maker’s mark. In addition, the elements of this watch are simply a tool for relaxation. It suggests that watch authenticity is defined by the rarity of its ingredients and the requirement for professional maintenance.

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Carriage, atmospheric, tower, tambour, torsion, skeleton, and decorative clocks are some of the most popular styles of antique clocks.

Types of Antique Mantel Clocks

Understanding the many types of antique clocks will help you perceive them quickly. They created unique designs before manufacturers began to write their signatures on their wares. You will now be able to comprehend the logo by looking at the layout, just like seasoned lenders can.

Ansonia

In the mid-1800s and early 1900s, these antique clocks turned into creatures. One of the few agencies, that made porcelain frames turned into Ansonia. They can be expensive because it’s hard to come back to using them.

RARE Antique ANSONIA Cast Iron Wind Up Shelf Mantle Carriage Clock
RARE Antique ANSONIA Cast Iron Wind Up Shelf Mantle Carriage Clock Sold: $66.00

Bracket

The hours on this 17th-century French antique clock are housed in a rectangular case. This layout is supposed to be in various iterations along with Atmos and Torsion.

Bracket
Source:Photo by Ales Krivec on Unsplash

Atmos

The time displays via temperature adjustments in this Swiss layout. It contains a sealed pill, the interior of which is a mixture of gases that reacts to temperature adjustments.

Circa 1960-70 Jaeger Le Coultre Atmos Mantle Table Clock Swiss Made
Circa 1960-70 Jaeger Le Coultre Atmos Mantle Table Clock Swiss Made Sold $650.00

Torsion

This clock has a pendulum that swings from side to side depending on the pressure applied.

400 DAY DISC TORSION PENDULUM CRYSTAL REGULATOR STYLE MANTLE CLOCK
400 DAY DISC TORSION PENDULUM CRYSTAL REGULATOR STYLE MANTLE CLOCK Sold: $228.50

Steeple

The steeple is a clock from the 19th century with a Gothic design. It resembles a church steeple, resulting in an unusual call.

2 Antique Clocks, EC Brewster &Son Onion Top, Welch Steeple
2 Antique Clocks, EC Brewster &Son Onion Top, Welch Steeple $550.00

Skeleton

This vintage mantel clock is a skeleton without a framed case. The dial mechanisms are visible in the open.

Vintage Seiko Quartz Lucite Brass Skeleton Mantel Clock QAW110G Japan
Vintage Seiko Quartz Lucite Brass Skeleton Mantel Clock QAW110G Japan $31.00

Tambour

British men created this vintage mantel clock in the twentieth century. It has a long base and an upright drum with a round face. Close your eyes and imagine the “O” of the Ohm signal with the clock base sitting on the mantelpiece.

Antique Working 1920 NEW HAVEN 'Harmonious' Tambour Humpback Mantel Shelf Clock
Antique Working 1920 NEW HAVEN ‘Harmonious’ Tambour Humpback Mantel Shelf Clock sold $80.00

Art Décor

ANTIQUE 1890's NEW HAVEN FIGURAL CHERUB VICTORIAN ART NOUVEAU MANTEL SHELF CLOCK
ANTIQUE 1890’s NEW HAVEN FIGURAL CHERUB VICTORIAN ART NOUVEAU MANTEL SHELF CLOCK Sold $57.79

The geometric patterns of the art clocks are French and Swiss. The period of their production ranged from the thirties to the sixties. However, its identification is not easy among the antiquities, as they have not yet reached a hundred may be in ten years, we will think about them.

Identifying Antique Mantel Clocks

When evaluating a vintage mantel clock, you need to focus on the following three factors: style, manufacturer, and materials.

Antique mantel clocks

Materials

Fabrics give away manufacturing time like hotcakes. You can tell if an item is dubbed by carefully examining the content. Using the material as a base recognition of your evaluation is easy when working with old clocks.

Materials used by watchmakers from the 17th century to the 20th century are listed chronologically.

Wood

American designs include vintage mantel clocks with thick wooden cases. Between 1880 and 1931, Terry used wood with black enamel. The affordable material had a smooth texture to a shine. Between 1820 and 1905, American watchmakers used mahogany, cherry, and oak for their cases. In 1905, they changed to plywood.

Porcelain

Vintage 1969 Mary Hayes Porcelain Mantel Clock
Vintage 1969 Mary Hayes Porcelain Mantel Clock Sold $42.48

Advances in the early twentieth century brought an upward trend to antique porcelain clocks. They are luxurious due to their rarity and fragility.

Stone

old UCRA Germany Marble Stone Brass Mantel Shelf Table Mechanical Wind up Clock
Old UCRA Germany Marble Stone Brass Mantel Shelf Table Mechanical Wind up Clock Sold $91.90

A massive antique clock with a stone case lacked handles due to its weight. Since this arrangement was eternal, it served mainly as a decoration. Onyx, marble, and slate were among the materials used with the help of French watchmakers.

Metal

Metal is a 20th-century material used in mantel clocks. It has a traditional American vintage look. Remember the fact that the most effective items courting the lower back a hundred years or more are considered antiques. Antiquarians are over 50 years old but under 100 years old.

Plastic

Plastic mantel clocks were more popular during the 1930s and 1990s. Manufacturers created their case using Bakelite, Catelin, and Adamantine. Be careful as the finish on adamantine can mimic slate, onyx, or marble.

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Style

Did you realize that manufacture year can find on antique mantel clocks?

Right, only American designs since those were the ones that started mass production. In 1896, because of this incident, watchmakers gave their creations a country stamp. It turned into beneficial for identification then and now.

Please note: Clocks made before 1896 do not have kingdom marks.

Writing anniversary dates on labels has another American way of life, much like manufacturing dates.

Old clocks have a different date strategy – they write the years backward and indicate the months with the letters A-L. Since “A” means January, “B” means February, and so on until “L” is December, January 1793 could be “3971A”.

If your old Roman clock shows any electroplating feature, you must be able to identify the year it was made, as the most skillful method became popular after 1836.

Movement

The clock mechanism is called a “movement” in old Clocks. Antique clocks have quartz movement, while antique clocks equip with mechanical movements. They require regular winding with a key, unlike today’s battery-operated options.

Most old clocks have “8-day” winds, which means you have to wind them once every eight days. There are also “14-day” and “31-day” versions, but they are more expensive due to their scarcity.

Use the control rectangle and dial to find the date. Post-1901 models read below the center of the dial, while pre-1901 clocks have +12 readings. It is because those made after 1901 are 89 models.

Traditional Mantel Clocks Value Guide

The last exercise in your training is determining when to raise your bid or fold. Depending on characteristics, clocks can sell for $100 to $10,000.

When trying to determine if a mantel clock is Antique or not, there are a few elements to notice.

The Materials

Examine the materials first. Commonly mantel clocks were made of porcelain, steel, or wood. Now your clock may not be vintage. But a modern imitation of miles makes of plastic or steel.

The Face

The face of the clock is any other indicator that this is a vintage mantel clock. The dial of a vintage watch is usually made of porcelain, tooth, or steel. Unlike publication, letters and numbers should be carved or painted.

The Label

Then, look for the label or manufacturer’s mark. Many manufacturers have printed their name or logo on the bottom of the watch. If you record the call, do a little research to determine the organization’s founding date.

Evaluating an Antique Clock Value

  • Age– Start by considering the age of the watch. The cost of lessons will increase with age. A clock industrially produced in the eighteenth century may be worth more than a clock developed in the nineteenth century.

Note: Clocks should be at least a hundred years old to qualify as vintage.

  • Materials– Next, think about the material. Porcelain or brass clocks can cost more than wooden clocks.
  • Condition– Compare the kingdom of hours. Is it functionally, OK? Does it require a refresh? Your watch can become more precious the better it is maintained.
  • Rarity– Finally, think about how unusual the watch is. Watches can be much cheaper than extra high-priced watches.

Remember that the fee for antique clocks is not always fixed. The financial system and the prevailing popularity of antique watches are the best examples of variables that can motivate trade.

If you are looking for a standard rate, you can assume that most antique clocks will be worth between $50 and $300. Considered one of the few expensive and rare examples, a French ormolu clock in the fashion of Louis XVI can fetch thousands of euros.

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If you are considering selling a watch, it is usually a great idea to contact a professional to get the most accurate appraisal possible. In case you are considering buying, we recommend that you get in touch with a genuine seller to ensure exact rates.

How to Buy Old-fashioned Mantel Clocks

Through online and offline methods, anyone can discover antique clocks. The many factors at play make the buying process extremely unique. Offline purchases are usually expensive and require a little more effort. Contrary, if you don’t mind shelling out the extra cash to get a proper vintage mantel clock, online purchases are incredible.

In the real world, there are three basic ways to buy an aged mantel clock:

Auction Houses

Auction houses are a useful resource for finding antique watches, but you need to be aware that they don’t regularly give refunds now. As a result, you can be stuck after buying clocks that appear fake or broken.

If you decide to buy from a personal dealer, we recommend that you bring along an expert to help you analyze the watch. This way, you can be sure that the antique clock you are buying is genuine and no longer a reproduction.

Online Shopping

eBay, one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, is the primary place to buy vintage mantel clocks online. You can find almost anything on eBay, including vintage mantel clocks like this one.

Etsy is a fantastic resource for finding handmade and antique items. Since the general public associates Etsy with arts and crafts, it can be hard to discover antiques there. But if you look hard enough, you might come across some real gems.

Love antiques is a website dedicated to antiques. You can be sure that each of the many old clock options is authentic.

FAQS

Do antique clocks beneficial?

Yes, antique clocks prove very beneficial. For example, you can sell to the government for keeping in the museum worth more than $750. In addition, you can also keep them at your beauty for enhancing the beauty of your house.

What is the process of identification for an antique clock?

You can identify it through its material. If you have a clock from 1000 years, it will be considered an antique clock. However, a younger generation of beautiful clocks is known as the Vintage clock series.

What is the most costly antique clock these days?

Duc D’Orleans Breguet Sympathique is considered the most expensive clock. It was developed in the year of 1795. In 1835, it was sold for $6.8 million and grabbed the title of most expensive antique clock.

Final Thoughts

Antique clocks are the ultimate passion of different people. Selling and buying these antique pieces has become at its peak. If you also want to do this business, it proves profitable for you due to their high prices.

On the other hand, you can make a collection of antique pieces at your home. It escalates the aestheticism of your spot and put a unique touch.

In this post, we have covered every point about Antique Mantel clocks. If you want to share anything about this subject matter, please let us know in the comment section. We’ll welcome your suggestions.

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