Antique mantel clocks are both elegant décor pieces and functional furnishings to place on your fireplace or side cabinet. Whether they are reproductions or the real items, exotically-made table clocks will flatter your living room and your personality. Antique clocks have been made throughout the western world. The first clock which worked with springs was made in 1510. Since then, a great number of antique mantel clocks in multiple styles and designs have been manufactured in Europe and America. For a long time in the past, the most efficient clocks were run with pendulums. At first the pendulums were left to swing by their weight, but after some time, would stop and would have to be restarted. Clockmakers then developed the technology of clockwork. Clockwork is basically the spring mechanism of the first clock but very much improved.

The central spring would be tightened by turning a key. Then it would slowly unwind and keep the pendulum moving for a whole day.

The main concern of antique mantel clock buyers is how to tell a reproduction from the real thing. The line distinguishing a repro from a real antique becomes blurred by the fact that some old clocks needed to be repaired years, sometimes hundreds of years, after they were made. The resulting device then became a hybrid clock which had older parts and newer parts.

The price of an antique clock is really more subjective than standard. Because of this fact, some antique clocks are sold at auctions where the clock will get the highest price anyone is willing to pay out for it. So if you really want to be sure you are getting the real item, and if you have enough resources, you might consider attending an auction where an antique mantel clock is being sold and bidding for one. On the other hand, you may also purchase a real antique mantel clock from an antique dealer. The only problem is that you have to be really sure that the item is a real antique. Many antique shops pass off reproductions, or even fakes, as the real item.

In most cases, the manufacturer has his name engraved or painted into the clock face or the movement (the mechanism under the face). Sometimes, the original retailer's name appears there instead of the manufacturer's. If you can identify the maker or the original retailer, a little research will tell you if the clock is an antique and when it was made.

In the absence of any autograph on the clockwork or the clock face, examine the antique mantel clock for any labels. If you can manage to read the label, you will know the name of the manufacturer or the original distributor.

Real antique mantel clocks or reproductions are equally effective in setting a mood for your parlor. If your aim in buying the clock is purely for adorning your side table or fireplace, you don't have to go out and buy the real thing. But if you intend to add the clock to your collection of old curios, play safe and don't purchase it if it doesn't have a signature or label indicating the name of its original source. As for labels, you have to ascertain that the label itself is genuine.

Building your own clock using one of the many grandfather clock kits available is a very fulfilling task.  Most grandfather clock kits are very elaborate and the final product looks and works just as well as a factory produced unit, possibly even better.  However, unlike any clock you can purchase premade, when you build one yourself you will have stories to tell as friends and family admire your clock.

Grandfather clock kits vary drastically so make sure you shop around.  The first thing you want to do is decide on what style of clock you want to build.  How much woodworking experience do you have?  While most grandfather clock kits are made so that just about anyone that can follow instructions can put together a unit, having woodworking skills can help and you may even be able to add your own flourishes.

Also, some units will include everything that you will need, including wood, plans, clock components, hardware, etc.  You will only need to supply your time and tools.  There are some grandfather clock kits that let you piece together the different components when you order so that not only will you have a clock that you built yourself but one that will be fairly custom.

Whitmore Shaker Floor Kit -

I would recommend this kit for beginners and for those that just want to get an idea of what it will be like to build a clock.  The Whitmore Shaker kit is a simple, Shaker style (of course), clock so it technically is not as hard to build as the more elaborate grandfather clock kits.  Not only that, but the entire kit can be purchased for around $400-450.  This kit includes everything you will need so you will end up with a clock for around $450.  Not too bad!  If you decide that you want a bigger challenge after building the Whitmore Shaker you can gift or sell this first clock and challenge yourself with something a bit harder.

Sligh grandfather clocks are grouped near the top of well regarded clocks that are made with fine craftsmanship and will last for a very long time.  Sligh has recently stopped production of their clocks in the Holland, Michigan factory in 2005, but you can still find a few Sligh clocks available to purchase and there will always be a used market since these will last for decades.  Here are a few Sligh grandfather clocks that you may consider when you are shopping for the centerpiece of your living room:

Anstead Floor Clock

This Sligh grandfather clock can be found for around $4500, which is a great deal.  The chime has three options, including Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", Shubert's "Ava Maria", and Westminster.  This clock stands at slightly over 88 inches.  The top column caps on the front columns are very elaborately carved and look great!

Brookfield Floor Clock

This is another retired Sligh grandfather clock.  This clock is not as elaborately carved as the Anstead, but it is a little easier on the budget.  You can find this clock for around $4000.  Some people may prefer this design, which is a bit simpler.  The three chime options on the Brookfield include Westminster, St. Michael's and Whittington.

It is unfortunate that Sligh had to close down their clock factory in Holland.  The good news is that Bulova purchased the Sligh design library so they are producing essentially the same models of Sligh grandfather clocks, but with new branding.  Fans of Sligh, though, may still be looking for originals.  While it is getting harder and harder to find new originals, make sure you check the used market.  I can often find good deals on craigslist for around $1500-2000.  Since these clocks really do last decades, you can often find an excellent deal!

An antique grandfather clock is something to be proud of when displayed in your living room or den.  For thousands of years, man has been contemplating the concept of time.  Of course, there were first variations of simple sun dials to mark time throughout the day.  Over time, there were more precise "clocks" developed, including hourglasses, candles, and water devices.

Mechanical clocks were first developed at the end of the thirteenth century.  These clocks would probably not even be recognized as clocks by most people today since they were large, cumbersome, and did not have faces or dials.  In the mid 1600s, Galileo starting playing around with pendulums and this is the beginning of antique grandfather clocks.

If you happen to have an antique grandfather clock it is something to be cherished.  The good news is that practically any antique grandfather clock has been made with care and with great craftsmanship.  This means that the clock will last for generations.  With care and maintenance, your antique grandfather clock will run just like when it was first built, whether that was in the 1800s or just a couple decades ago.

Not everyone has an antique grandfather clock to love and cherish.  If you do, just make sure to take care of it.