Collecting Antique Clocks

Mantel clocks from the Art Deco era are very fashionable at the moment and you will need to pay a premium price for a decent one. On the other hand some of the other styles like the French spelter clock with garniture (usually a three piece set) are not so trendy now and it's possible to buy them for a decent price.

Mantle clocks can be made in a variety of materials such as spelter, bronze, copper, silverplate, silver and gold the last two will cost the most because of what they are made from. You can also have mantel clocks made from stone such as marble or slate these are very heavy and will need to be placed on a very substantial surface. Mantle clocks can also be made from wood such as oak, boxwood, maple, walnut, mahogany and fruitwood these can be a cheaper option but still look great.

Some mantel clocks were made from more delicate materials such as tortoiseshell, ceramic and even porcelain but due to the delicate 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 buying a 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 old clock parts 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 an auction you will have to take care to inspect it for damage and condition as you will not be able to get a refund as auction items are typically sold 'as seen'. However, if you are buying your antique clock from a shop, antique fair, market or centre then you can ask the seller about condition and damage as well as inspect it, try and get a receipt for the clock and if you have trouble with the clock you can return it.