Looking at Antique Clocks

Mantle clocks made from wood including maple, boxwood, oak, walnut, fruitwood and mahogany were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century and are reasonably priced. Clocks made from slate and marble are very heavy but make an impressive statement. You can also get mantle clocks made in spelter, brass, bronze, cooper, silverplate, silver and gold the last two being the most expensive due to the material they are made from.

Some mantel clocks were made from more delicate materials such as tortoiseshell, ceramics and even porcelain but due to the fragile nature of the materials not many of these have survived and so cost more and are harder to come by. No matter what type of clock you buy be sure you check the workings and clock parts are in good order, if you are unsure try to get a clock expert to check it for you before you buy it.

One of the most important things to remember when purchasing an antique mantel clock is to check its condition before you buy it. This will not be possible if you are buying a clock on the internet but you can have the clock checked as soon as it arrives and if need be get a refund if its not right. If you do not check the clock properly then clock repair can cost a lot of money as spare parts for vintage clocks can be hard to find and expensive, so is the time it takes for the repairs to be done.

When you are buying your clock from a shop, antique fair, market or antique center, make sure you inspect it carefully for damage and condition; ask the dealer lots of questions about the clock's condition such as if it's working correctly and once you have bought it make sure you keep any receipts just in case you have to return it. If you are buying a mantel clock from an auction then most items are sold as seen, so it will be up to you to check it for damage, condition and if its working ok as you may not get a refund if you make a mistake.