Grandfather Clock is a Delightful Addition to Any Home

“Just imagine the chiming of a Grandfather Clock – that is the sound that turns a house into a home…”

Around 1875, the American songwriter Henry Work was staying at the George Hotel during a trip to England. He was told the unique story of their old clock and it’s previous owner, and after seeing the clock for himself, he decided to write a song about the fascinating coincidence that the clock stopped forever the moment its owner died. Mr. Work returned to America and published the song that sold over a million copies of sheet music about the clock grandfather entitled “My Grandfather’s Clock”. Until that time, clocks such as the one in the old George Hotel were given various names, but only since Henry Work’s song have large upright clocks been called ‘Grandfather Clocks’.

Grandfather clocks, also sometimes known as ‘Coffin Clocks’, come in a huge variety of sizes and designs, ranging from antiques built by famous clock makers several centuries ago, to those made today.

Pendulum clocks were developed by clockmakers in the mid 1600’s in a bid to obtain a greater degree of time-keeping accuracy. By giving them longer pendulums, clocks kept better time. These long-pendulum clocks were placed in tall wooden cases so that they could stand upright on the floor.

Since then, Grandfather clocks have become very popular items of household furniture, and have appeared in a huge variety of cases – many styles of which became fashionable, and then fell out of favor as fashion tastes changed. Grandfather clocks were sometimes embellished with ornate woodcarving, and often came complete with chimes, tunes, and moon-phase dials.

Clock collecting is a serious passion for many clock lovers around the world. Today, some antique clocks from the 1600’s to 1700’s fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

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Hentschel Grandfather Clock - The Movement of Clock Making

by Dean Forster

The commitment to old world craftsmanship is one that is not often found. However, the company of Hentschel has guaranteed that the same looks and ability to make this perfection can provide a better look to everything that they do. One of the ways that this is seen is through the Hentschel grandfather clock. This addition into this furniture company has provided more opportunities for better clock making.The beginning of Hentschel was established in 1890, with it’s main headquarters being located in Canada. The concept was to combine a certain level of artistry with the craftsmanship in order to offer this with more contemporary looks. Through the works of this company that began with the traditional clock, is the continuation of their business today has also allowed for a movement to upgrade the clocks, specifically with combining things such as electrical clocks and more contemporary looks.

There are four classes of Hentschel grandfather clocks that are available. These are divided according to the type of craftsmanship available. The first of these is the artist’s collection. There are five major types in this area, all which combine a specific look to the clock. This includes more ornate figures that are carved at the top and sides of the clock, as well as a moon dial, a large pendulum and sides. These particular clocks have more weights than most other types of clocks because of the size and figure that is used with the clocks.

The second set of clocks for this particular company is the Hentschel collection. These are known as some of the best clocks and gave this company their signature. All three of the models contain pendulums and chimes, but are also designed with a 3D look. This is because of the glass that is on the side as well as on the front of the area where the chimes are at. The Camelot model also contains Curio shelves which are used on the sides in order to enhance the features of the clock.

After this division of clocks are two sets of featured clocks that are more traditional and have been built since the beginning of the Hentschel company. This includes traditional looking clocks, with two main clocks that are used, as well as the Forest Hill Collection, which includes a set of six traditional looking grandfather clocks from the region. All of these contain long cases combined with cabinets or pendulums as well as moon dials on the top, combined with traditional carvings. These will have a more miniature look to some of them, with others being a larger size.

More recently, the Hentschel grandfather clocks have included the 2006 lifestyle series. These have a more contemporary look with glass in casings, little wood except for around the frame, and the same signature pendulums that allow the grandfather clocks to keep their look.

With all of these types of clocks, a different approach is taken towards putting them together. Either you can have a pre-made clock, or you can get kits with all of the parts in order to put the clock together yourself. This is to help with convenience of shipping and to provide an easier way to get the clock to you. Many of these clocks will also have specific necessities to care for the clock, such as cleaning supplies and oil for the clock. If any repairs are needed, the kits can simply be taken back apart and shipped back in order to ensure that they continue to work and that the pendulum keeps moving forward.

The evolution of clocks from the Hentschel grandfather clocks is one that has included a wide variety of concepts, ornamented looks and masterpieces of art for the home. Through the traditional styles, this particular company has learned how to progress as well as keep the heirloom treasures in their company. This allows them to keep a part of the past as well as the ability to keep ticking into the future.

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The History of Grandfather Clocks By LaZinnia Manley

For a very long time, and possibly since the beginning of intelligent human thought, man has been using one method or another to mark the passage of time. Originally, the sun, the moon and the stars were used to achieve this. For about 5000 years, there has been some form of clock making. From the beginning, man has been obsessed with time and even now, society is based around time. Some of the most beautiful time-keeping pieces are grandfather clocks.

The origin of the grandfather clock started with Galileo Galilei in 1582 when he discovered that a pendulum could be used for keeping time. Although this discovery belongs to Galileo, the first in a very long line of grandfather clocks was a pendulum clock invented by Christiaan Huygens. Huygens was a Dutch scientist, and his prototype was imitated by many. At first, grandfather clocks were made of cast iron pieces and were mounted on the wall. Before long, they were encased in wood.

Between 1630 and 1730, grandfather clocks were really redeveloped and improved upon. They evolved from those original cast iron wall pieces to floor models that were over 7 feet tall. Their timing was improved as well, from minutes a day to a few seconds a week variance. This made them much more precise and a minute hand was also added. They went from functional time pieces to a true art and pieces of real beauty. They were also encased in glass so that the longer pendulum and weights were displayed.

They were originally made for royalty and nobles, but after some period of time the production costs came down. This meant that while they were still very expensive, families which were not royalty could place grandfather clocks in their homes. In the late 1600’s, these clocks were being produced by Americans. This practice began in New England and later spread to the rest of America. Since they were still very expensive, only wealthy families could afford them. They became a symbol of wealth and status. It is interesting to note that at this point, these clocks were known as ‘wags on the wall’ clocks, ‘long case’ clocks, or ‘floor’ clocks. The name ‘grandfather clock’ came not long after this time period.

While these types of clocks are far more affordable to families today, they are still a mark of taste, class and beauty in the home. They are more enjoyed for their history and their beauty than just their time keeping abilities. They have had a long journey from their beginnings to now, and they are a symbol of history, beauty and craftsmanship.

Posted by Author LaZinnia Manley

Visit me on the web at [http://www.lazinniahomedecor.com]LaZinnia Home Decor and Gifts

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The Origin Of Grandfather Clocks

by Scott Miller

Remember those big, wooden clocks with long pendulums and which gives out eerie sounds? Antique clocks can evoke feelings of nostalgia for times gone by. Hearing the clock going ding-dong could either bring a person back to the past or to a time in the future.Clocks, no matter what kind they are, have always been an important aspect of man’s life. The invention of the clock has made life easier for humans, who used to tell time by the way the sun’s rays were positioned in the sky. Our ancestors could tell it is noon when the sun is set at a certain height or level in the sky. While this system worked, it made the telling of time impossible during night time or at times when it is raining.

Mechanical clocks which sounded a bell at every hour were invented in the 1300s. However, these clocks were so primitive they did not have minute hands or faces which could easily tell the time the way the clocks do nowadays. The discovery of the coiled spring in the 1400s made possible for the existence of smaller clocks and even watches. It was in the 1600s when the pendulum clock was invented by Christiaan Huygens. However, the pendulum clock was still considered inaccurate.

Such was the British Parliament’s yearning for a clock that could accurately tell the time, that a cash reward awaited anyone who could create a clock that could be used even for navigation. Finally, the accurate clock was invented and humans were once again able to navigate and work, knowing that their clocks were telling them the right time.

One of the clocks that have become famous is the grandfather clock. This clock is known for being a work of art in itself, enclosed in a tower case and has a long pendulum. Remember that in the olden days, the longer the pendulum of the clock was, the more accurate the time. Grandfather clocks usually measured high at a minimum of six feet tall, and the tower made of hardwood and glass.

The Grandfather clock actually referred to the floor clock kept in the George Hotel in England, owned by the two brothers. The death of one of the brothers resulted to time malfunction of the floor clock. When the clock started to fail when the second brother died, the clock was never repaired. This was the same clock which inspired the song “My Grandfather’s Clock”, composed by Henry Clay Work in 1875 and written after he stayed in the George Hotel and learned of the story of the two brothers.

Most Grandfather clocks are striking clocks. Striking clocks, like the Big Ben clock in London, are clocks that make a gong sound at every hour.

About the Author

The author is a regular contributor to Grandfather Clock Center where more information about grandfather clocks and parts is freely available.

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