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Mantle / Mantel Clocks
Antique mantle clocks (or mantel clocks) is a rather generic term that can refer to many different types of clock, including shelf clock or bracket clock. The whole idea of the mantle clock was to be placed on the mantlepiece in the most used room in the house. The antique mantle clock is probably the most prominent of all clocks made throughout the years. Throughout the 1700s the English produced by far the majority of all mantle clocks, whereas during the 1800s French and German clock makers took over and made clocks in huge numbers.
Starting in the early 1800s, mantel clocks were also made in America. The Americans were the first to utilize mass-production and they did this quite early on, so as well as having vast quantities of good quality wood for clock cases they also had machinery earlier than other clock making countries. Early mantel clocks were highly ornate, decorative pieces and were a speciality of France.
Think of mantle clocks as the "everyday" clock. These simple clocks were mostly made of wood, some with art-deco type styling, while other could also be ornate, especially if they were made of porcelain. The beauty of antique mantel clocks are in their simplicity and utilitarian design.
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