As an interior designer, I’m always looking for unique ways to decorate my home. I love pieces that bring character into the home, and grandfather clocks are timeless and have such a rich history.
If you don’t know much about these large clocks, I’ve got you covered. I’ll guide you through the types of grandfather clocks, helping you discover the perfect clock to elevate the design of your home
9 Types of Grandfather Clocks
Nothing says history, elegance, creativity, and charm like a tall, slender grandfather clock does. Standing at almost 6-8 feet tall with a strong body supporting the weight-driven swinging pendulums, these clocks are quite a statement piece.
Take a look at some of the most popular types of ancient grandfather clocks that are considered real, priceless gems in today’s era.
1. Comtoise Clocks
Also known as ‘Morez clocks’ and ‘Morbier clocks,’ this is one of the most common types of grandfather clocks.
Comtoise Clocks are a type of longcase timepiece that mainly originated in France. These types of Grandfather clocks were specially made in the French region called Franche-Comté, which is primarily how the clock got its unique name.
Since these clocks were also produced in the vicinity of Morbier in France, they were given the name ‘Morbier clocks.’ The name variation is simply due to the different names of areas in the Franche-Comté region.
Production Timeline
These clocks were first produced during the 1680s, and their production lasted for almost 230 years. Their peak production period started in 1850 and ended somewhere around 1890. During that time, about 60,000 comtoise clocks were manufactured each year.
Although they were initially found only in France, the popularity of this Grandfather clock eventually spread to Germany and Spain, along with a few other European regions. These clocks were later also exported further to Thailand and the Ottoman Empire.
Popularity and Spread
The comtoise clock is a type of provincial, weight-driven clock that marked the beginning of the popularizing period of clocks in France. Till the 19th century, these clocks were found across the entire country. They gained so much popularity during that period that they practically ousted all other local clocks.
Design and Construction
The manufacturing process of these clocks was quite similar to that of Gothic clocks. They were built on huge frames that were made of iron strips.
The original version of the comtoise clock was supposed to have a full, long case made with vine, but later, several variations feature the clock hanging from a bracket. The long case was frequently grained and painted in the country fashion, and the sides were often tapered or shaped like a violin.
Dial and Pediment Styles
The dials on these clocks were initially made with brass or pewter that were filled with black numerals and had a single hand. However, later, the dials were displayed on enamel cartouches. By the 19th century, they were even made of printed paper and sometimes had a third hand that basically indicated the date.
The other versions of these clocks had a pierced brass pediment that was used to replace the early dials. This pediment was shaped like a rooster and had royal arms. Oftentimes, it also had certain motifs that represented the political enthusiasm alive at that time.
This particular style didn’t last for long, and it was replaced by other pediment styles that consisted of various brass devices. The most common of these devices incorporated a pair of cornucopias in its design. Others also featured a sunburst and a basket of flowers.
Decline in Popularity
Comtoise clocks faced a sudden decline in popularity, particularly in 1871, when German clocks were allowed into the country without taxes. This greatly affected the trade of these clocks regardless of how popular they were and how diversified their output was.
The First World War marked their final decline. The clock industry in the respective French regions was restructured to produce more efficient and modern types of clocks.
Although a few French manufacturers still made these clocks toward the end of the 20th century, their initial popularity died down.
2. Bornholm Clocks
As the name suggests, this grandfather clock originated in Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea. The island is south of Sweden, east of Denmark, and north of Poland.
Historical Background
The production of clocks began in 1745 and lasted till 1900. These are Danish longcases with a delicate crown, often square-shaped with a tiny window on both sides. The windows allowed one to see the workings of the clock from the inside.
Interestingly, Bornholm Island had no reputation for clock-making before creating these unique clocks. Its production only began when a Dutch ship traveling from England changed its course to the Ronne coasts.
Ronne is a town on Bornholm Island, and among all other towns found on this island, Ronne is the largest of them all. Surprisingly, the ship contained five longcase or grandfather clocks in its cargo. This incident took place in 1744.
Since clocks were a rare commodity but were considered extremely vital back then, the sailors decided to save them, and so they transported them to Paul Ottesen Arboe in Ronne.
He and his local craftsmen went on to repair the clocks and tried to restore the English longcase clocks. However, most of these craftsmen were turners and knew nothing about grandfather clocks.
As a result of their lack of knowledge, they had to study the mechanisms of longcase clocks before they could begin repairing them. So, these determined craftsmen took their time to study the clock, during which they learned all about its internal mechanisms and fully understood the structure of these longcase enclosures.
What’s great about this whole learning process is that these craftsmen learned so much about these clocks that they were all set to create their own version of the longcase or grandfather clock. Eventually, they did produce their own clock, which is how the Bornholm clocks came into existence.
Components of Bornholm Clocks
The Bornholm clock consists of lead weights, each weighing almost eight pounds. The main body of the clock is divided into three key sections: head, foot, and case. All these sections have straight sides, but the foot often has rounded corners and a four-sided molding.
Clock Face and Ornamentation
The clock’s face is made of brass or iron and is usually adorned towards the corner, which is often made of lead. The ornamentation includes Roman numerals on tin with beautiful pierced brass hands.
The top of the face has a little round tin with a five-pointed crown. This crown contains the clockmaker’s name and the year the clock was manufactured.
Artistic Details
The case of the Bornholm clock, on the other hand, was usually painted with biblical motifs and sometimes had an imitation of a Chinese lakarbejde (Danish for “lacquer work”). Other variations of this clock from those times also had large bowed gesims (Danish for “cornice”) on the case.
3. Empire Clocks
This type of Bornholm clock was produced in the 1800s and eventually faced a steep decline in the 1900s. The Empire Clock consists of a white face made of iron, coupled with black-colored numbers and simple brass hands. The backside of the face often has the clockmaker’s name or initials painted in ink.
The clock’s body also consists of three pieces: the foot, case, and head. The head has a round window with even sides. The window often has a row of pearls or a carved laurel wreath below it.
On the other hand, the foot consists of angled sides, while the corners of the case have a carved drape with capitals and a column base toward the corners.
The Empire clock is also called a ‘Han’ or He, and its counterpart clock is called a ‘Hun’ or She, which has bowed-out sides and was created somewhere during the 1830s.
4. Mora Clocks
This is a classic Swedish clock made in Mora, a town in the Dalama province of Sweden. It has recently gained significant popularity, mainly because of its unique shape and design.
Historical Origins
The origin of this Swedish clock goes as far back as the 18th century, when long periods of droughts had severely affected Mora. Many residents left the town during this challenging time and fled to Stockholm. This period is known as one of the toughest economic crises for Mora and its people.
Learning Skills in Stockholm
The group of people who had escaped to Stockholm learned numerous skills there so that when they returned to their hometown, they could help their fellow people and turn things around economically and financially. Two of the most common skills they learned were clock-making and innovative farming techniques.
Upon returning, these people realized that they had to begin a production of making clocks to earn money and make ends meet.
Clock-Making in Mora
Since Mora was primarily a farming community, its people were greatly drawn to clock-making.
Soon enough, many families began to specialize in making different parts of a clock. From the exterior painting of the clock to the mechanical interior parts, the people of Mora established quite a niche in the clockmaking industry.
Diverse Designs and Styles
Hundreds of families produced this treasured timekeeping object, eventually resulting in some of the most unique and creative clock designs ever made. Different types of clocks were being produced in different regions, which led to various styles and designs of these clocks.
For instance, the ones produced in Northern Sweden were generally slender and tall, while those manufactured in southern Sweden were highly accentuated and consisted of elaborate curves.
The Golden Era of Mora Clocks
The production of Mora clocks eventually peaked in the mid-19th century, during which a total of a thousand clocks were being produced every year. Their peak period lasted over 50 years until the local cottage industry was ultimately doomed, because Sweden started importing foreign clocks from Germany and the USA.
Characteristics of Mora Clocks
Regarding looks and feel, the Swedish Mora clocks typically have a long and slender body. Unlike other English clocks with similar styles and designs, they can easily fit into narrow and tight spaces. The size of these clocks measures up to 12 inches deep, 99 inches tall, and 28 inches wide.
Unique Handcrafted Identity
These clocks have eight-day movements with cast-iron weights. These movements use either a spiral wire gong or two bells at the top of the clock to strike the hour.
Mora clocks are believed to be the most classic yet timeless of all clocks because every single piece of the clock was handcrafted, and each clock has its own distinctive identity and personality. This kind of significant and rich history of these clocks makes them so unique, and their very existence is unparalleled by any other type of clock.
5. Fryksdall Mora Clock
This is a popular type of Mora known for the exceptional carvings on the main unit of the clock. It is considered more of a high-end clock and was popularly owned by wealthy individuals.
The Fryksdall Mora clock typically comes in white and gray colors, has a prominent belly, and a pinched waist.
6. City Mora Clock
This style of Mora clocks made quite a strong stylistic statement, mainly because it included a beautifully painted finish. They were meant for finer and more elegant decorative spaces, setting them apart from other Mora clock varieties.
7. Country Mora Clock
This is one of the least decorative Mora clocks and has quite a plain appearance. It was a popular choice of clock in poorer families and was often given as a wedding gift to most couples on their big day. Compared to other clock varieties, the Country version used less glass in its making and usually came with a simple hood crown.
Consider yourself lucky if you own an ancient grandfather clock in today’s time because it is one of the most timeless antique primary pieces passed down to generations as family heirlooms!
8. Howard Miller Clocks
The distinctive foil label on Howard Miller grandfather clocks makes them easy to identify. This label is typically attached to the features of the clock and contains important information such as the model number and serial number.
This foil label can be found on the back of the clock or inside the case, usually behind the clock’s working mechanisms. Older models frequently have a label that reads “Made in Germany,” which shows off the high caliber of the Kieninger Company’s German craftsmen.
One excellent example of these clocks is the Ashley Grandfather Clock, a chain-driven Grandfather clock. The key difference between this and a cable-driven Grandfather clock is that the cable version requires the insertion of a special crank to turn it.
9. Grandfather Cuckoo Clocks
Grandfather cuckoo clocks have their own unique features. These clocks are enormous in size, standing at an impressive 83 inches tall and 30.5 inches wide. The minute hand is typically 4 inches long, with some slight variations.
The clock case is lavishly adorned with intricate engravings, typically crafted from pine trees. These carvings adorn the front case of the clock, depicting scenes from the forest, such as a mother bear with her cubs, a prairie house with a thatched roof, and more.
These clocks’ names come from the cuckoo bird mechanism, which appears every hour and a half. A distinct cuckoo sound is produced on the hour, accompanied by a rich-sounding alarm chime produced by a 72-note music box, which can play one to three tunes.
What Are Grandfather Clocks?
You have probably seen one of the several types of Grandfather clocks and thought that the name was rather fitting. The binding characteristic of all Grandfather clocks is their resounding bells, swinging pendulums, and magnificent tall and ornate cases. You can’t miss them when you see them.
History of Grandfather Clocks
Once, an American songwriter named Henry Clay Work visited England sometime in 1875. He was staying in the George Hotel in North Yorkshire.
One day, Henry noticed an unusual clock sitting in the hotel’s lobby, serving no real purpose. It was a large, unmoving, motionless pendulum clock with its hands completely jammed at 11:05. That intrigued Henry, so he inquired about its history.
The hotel proprietors told him the clock belonged to the late Jenkins brothers, who once owned that hotel. The clock was meant for the older brother, and it was supposedly one of the greatest and the most reliable timepieces one could ever get.
However, the clock suddenly started to slow down and became less accurate when the older brother passed away. Some years later, the clock is said to be ‘dead’ and ‘silent’ since then.
Although that story is more local folklore than anything, the hotel credits it as the main inspiration behind grandfather clocks. Their website also has an entire page dedicated to that old clock, which is still displayed in the hotel’s main lobby.
However, according to another story about how the grandfather clock got its name, it is believed that the proper credit goes to Henry Clay Work. As a songwriter, he wrote an entire song about that clock incident. The song was released in 1876 and was called “My Grandfather’s Clock.”
The song became really popular, and fans went crazy over it. Soon enough, ‘grandfather clock’ became the new moniker for those longcase clocks.
Significance of the Grandfather Clock
Also called ‘floor clock’ and ‘tall-case clock,’ the grandfather clock holds quite a rich and noteworthy historical and cultural significance.
The Evolution of Time Measurement
Its importance majorly stems from the fact that the clock is one of the most useful objects created by the human race. Among all other objects, this is the one that has evolved through its measurement of the passage of time.
It is also the sole entity that reminds us of the time and impresses upon us the meaning of staying on schedule.
The Birth of the Grandfather Clock
Speaking of clocks, one of the most popular and unique types of clocks is none other than the ‘grandfather clock.’ It was invented during the mid-17th century when a man named Christian Huygens came up with a fascinating way to help clockmaker.
Design and Style
His newly devised formula was supposed to help clockmakers create a pendulum that would swing every second. This was a breakthrough because the earlier types of clocks used springs or weights to power their system.
This new method required a long pendulum, which further called for the need for a long case. This is basically how the design and style of the grandfather clock were developed. Not only did this help clockmakers, but it also profoundly impacted its position in the world of clocks.
Cultural Significance
The Grandfather clock became an object of great cultural significance and became a major cultural artifact. This is because it was considered an object of authority that told people when to eat and when to work, among many other things.
Grandfather clocks became the ultimate timekeepers back then, and they were also the objects that helped organize things and people in space, particularly during the era of the Civil War.
Impact on Time Management
Ever since the inception of the Grandfather clock, people no longer had to look at the sun to measure their working hours.
People could better manage their time, and their lives also became much more regulated. Since it was possible to keep track of time with the help of the grandfather clock, the concept of ‘lateness’ was no longer a socially accepted phenomenon.
Grandfather Clock Movement
Grandfather clocks are not only exciting and intriguing because of their unique story and history but also because of how they work and move.
Did you know that the only major element about these Grandfather clocks that has been altered over time is their clock movement?
When grandfather clocks were created, they were manufactured with two main movements: the one-day movements and the eight-day movements.
One-Day Movement
This is also called the 30-hour movement, and its key requirement is winding daily. Longcase clocks that run on a one-day movement system basically only have a single weight. It is supposed to use that weight for two purposes: to run the striking mechanism and to drive the timekeeping system.
This style of movement was considered to be largely inexpensive and was also meant for those people who couldn’t afford to buy eight-day movement-styled Grandfather clocks.
Eight-Day Movement
This movement style requires you to wind it only once a week, and unlike the one-day movement system, this style is run with the help of two weights. One weight drives the striking mechanism while the other propels the pendulum’s swing.
The striking mechanism of this movement basically consists of a bell or chime. It also has two keyholes on either side of the dial, mainly used during the winding process.
Differences Between a Grandfather and a Longcase Clock
The main difference between modern longcase clocks and original grandfather clocks is their height. Without a doubt, there are other minor differences, but their stature is the most noticeable.
Grandfather clocks are the tallest, reaching a minimum height of six feet. They typically have a solid timber case, pendulum, hood, and dial. Grandfather clocks are also known for their ornate details, such as brass or painted dials and intricate carvings depicting biblical or forest scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know What Kind of Grandfather Clock I Have?
Start by carefully examining the features and design of the grandfather clock you currently own. Pay attention to distinguishing features such as case style (traditional, modern, antique), dial shape (square, round), and any distinctive decorations or engravings.
In addition, look for manufacturer’s marks or labels on the interior or back of the clock. These specifics will help you identify the style and era of your grandfather clock.
What Is a Grandfather Wall Clock Called?
A Grandfather wall clock is called a longcase or tall-case clock. It has a characteristic long case and pendulum, which are similar to a grandmother clock. It is also sizeable and usually requires a good amount of space to stand, unlike the grandmother clock that could fit into smaller spaces.
What Are the Different Types of Pendulums in Grandfather Clocks?
Grandfather clocks typically use one of two types of pendulums: bob pendulums and rod pendulums.
- Bob Pendulums: This is the most common type of pendulum, which consists of a weight (or bob) suspended from a cord or wire. The clock’s gears are powered by the bob swinging back and forth.
- Rod Pendulums: Although less common, rod pendulums provide greater accuracy. They are made up of a long, slender rod that is suspended from a pivot point and swings to drive the clock’s gears.
Some grandfather clocks have a unique moon phase pendulum with a small dial indicating the current moon phase, and a grandmother clock may have the same as well.
Conclusion
Grandfather clocks are enduring works of artistry and engineering that have been treasured for centuries. These timepieces keep accurate time and serve as exquisite and captivating furniture pieces.
Grandfather clocks are available in various styles and sizes to fit every taste and budget. They can be found in antique stores, online retailers, and even some department stores.
