Chelsea Mantel Clock
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Vintage 1940s American Mantel Clocks
Early 20th Century Mantel Clocks
Metal, Bronze
Vintage 1950s American Other Mantel Clocks
Finding the Right Mantel-clocks for You
Personal time-telling devices may have migrated from our pockets to our wrists and finally onto our phones, but despite the convenience of a handheld digital timekeeper, nothing can beat well-made vintage, new and antique mantel clocks.
Invented by clockmakers in France and popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries, these practical yet ornate pieces were typically displayed on top of fireplaces or desks. While the most common mantel clocks were created in the traditional tambour style, which features a wide base that flares into an upright drum- or camelback-shaped case, modern clockmakers and furniture designers have experimented with their own ideas for these decorative objects over the years, introducing different forms and working with unconventional materials. A collection of whimsical, monochromatic handmade mantel clocks crafted by Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk, called Floating Frames, for example, features minimalist frames of anodized wire and ceramic clockfaces.
When shopping for an antique, vintage or new mantel clock, don’t be afraid to branch out. Wood mantel clocks of any era will bring a classic, elegant allure to the shelving in your living room or the bookcase in your bedroom, while Empire-style mantel clocks will comparatively boast eye-catching gilt bronze and pronounced sculptural attributes. Some Art Deco mantel clocks will feature an integration of marble or glass and will likely be marked by the decorative embellishments associated with that particular furniture style.
There’s just something about cool clocks, right? Spend your time with an extraordinary collection of mantel clocks on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024To tell how old a Chelsea clock is, the manufacturer recommends that you purchase a Certificate of Origin. You can do so by sending photos of the front and back of your clock and the complete serial number to the Chelsea Clock Company. The manufacturer will then provide you with a document that details the age of your clock and other information about it. Explore a range of Chelsea clocks on 1stDibs.
- 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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