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Finding the Right clocks for You
A sophisticated clock design, whether it’s a desk clock, mantel clock or large wall clock for your living room, is a decorative object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles. Given the versatility of these treasured fixtures — they’ve long been made in a range of shapes, sizes and styles — a clock can prove integral to your own particular interior decor.
Antique and vintage clocks can whisk us back to the 18th and 19th centuries. When most people think of antique clocks, they imagine an Art Deco Bakelite tabletop clock or wall clock, named for the revolutionary synthetic plastic, Bakelite, of which they’re made, or a stately antique grandfather clock. But the art of clock-making goes way back, transcending continents and encompassing an entire range of design styles and technologies. In short, there are many kinds of clocks depending on your needs.
A variety of wall clocks can be found on 1stDibs. A large antique hand-carved walnut wall clock is best suited to a big room and a flat background given what will likely be outwardly sculptural features, while Georgian grandfather clocks, or longcase clocks, will help welcome rainswept guests into your entryway or foyer. An interactive cuckoo clock, large or small, is guaranteed to bring outsize personality to your living room or dining room. For conversation pieces of a similar breed, mid-century modern enthusiasts go for the curious Ball clock, the first of more than 150 clock models conceived in the studio of legendary architect and designer George Nelson.
Minimalist contemporary clocks and books pair nicely on a shelf, but an eye-catching vintage mantel clock can add balance to your home library while drawing attention to your art and design books and other decorative objects. Ormolu clocks dating from the Louis XVI period, designed in the neoclassical style, are often profusely ornate, featuring architectural flourishes and rich naturalistic details. Rococo-style mantel clocks of Meissen porcelain or porcelain originating from manufacturers in cities such as Limoges, France, during the 18th and 19th centuries, exude an air of imperial elegance on your shelves or side tables and can help give your desk a 19th-century upgrade.
On 1stDibs, find a range of extraordinary antique and vintage clocks today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To wind an Ansonia mantel clock, first insert the key into the center winding point, usually found on the back. Then, turn the key clockwise until the winder no longer turns. Repeat the process in the right winding point to set the quarter-hour charm and the left winding point to set the hour strike. You'll find a range of Ansonia clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To fix the chime on a mantel clock, take it to an experienced clock repair shop. A professional will have the knowledge and tools necessary to diagnose the problem with the chimes and make the necessary repairs. You'll find a range of mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How you adjust a French mantel clock depends on its design. In many antique clocks, there is a winding slot that says R for Retard on one side and A for Advance on the other. If you wish to make the clock faster, you turn the key toward the R. To slow down the clock, turn the key in the opposite direction toward the A. Find a large collection of French mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To identify an old mantel clock, look for the name of the company or artisan. They are often stamped or engraved on either the clock’s face or the backplate of the movement. Sometimes they will be on a piece of paper on the back or bottom of the clock. Shop a variety of mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date a Seth Thomas mantel clock, examine the gears inside. If the movement is wood, the production date of the clock is somewhere between 1817 and 1830. Clocks made after 1881 may feature an ink code date stamp on the case back or bottom. A licensed appraiser can provide assistance with determining the exact manufacturing year. Shop a variety of expertly vetted Seth Thomas mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
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