Mantel or mantle clocks come in all shapes and sizes. They are tall as pillars or short like tree stumps.

Some are stout, others slender. Some glitter in gold, while others are made of plain hardwood. Some have silver angels standing by the clockwork or cuckoos chirping at each strike of the hour or bell that breaks into a song at quarters, but many still are bare and simple pieces.

But for all their variety, all mantel clocks are the same-they are faithful timekeepers that stand in the way of our homely furniture. They can be easily read from the distance, with their large clock face and hands.

History of mantel clocks

In Europe in 17th century, a stately chateau or manor is designed with many hearths; a family and its brood gather by the fireside to stay warm in wintry nights. The fireplace, thus, was the centerpiece as well as a recurring feature of the whole house. Antique mantle clocks-so called because they are put on the mantelshelf above the fireplace-were added attraction, decoration, and accent in the room. The first of the old mantel clocks were developed in France in the second half of 17th century.

They were born out of iron chamber clocks, which were boxy and had most often a handle on top so they can be carried anywhere in the house. Vintage mantle clocks were meant to be stationary, placed on top of a shelf or on the end table.