Grandfather Clock
Grandfather clock- history
In the 16th century Italian scientist Galileo discovered that pendulums could be used to keep time. A Dutch scientist Christian Huygens put this pendulum principle of Galileo to use in the mid 17th century to make a prototype of a grandfather clock. Eventually the pendulums were made longer as the astronomers thought that the longer the pendulum the more accurate is the time. As the length of the pendulum became more than three feet, they were put in long wooden cases, which resembled coffins. So you have the upper part of the clock showing the time and the lower part had the pendulum oscillating. These clocks were addressed as long-case clocks, coffin clocks and floor clocks as they were kept on the floor. In the late 19th century an American songwriter Henry Work was touring England. He happened to stay at a hotel called George in North Yorkshire. During his stay he noticed a long-case clock, in the lobby, that was not working. From his enquiry he came to know that two brothers named Jenkins managed the hotel. After the death of the elder brother the clock started slowing down and on the day the younger brother died at the age of ninety the clock stopped. The new manager left the clock with the hands showing the time of the last Jenkins death. To commemorate this story, Henry Work wrote a song titled “my grandfather’s clock” which became an instant hit and from then on the coffin case clocks were called as grandfather clocks.
Designs & Trends
The traditional and antique grandfather clocks are mostly found in the old houses and are very much in demand today as they add a rustic and warm look to the contemporary houses. These clocks are made from wood of the walnut tree, oak, pine, and mahogany. They are available from basic shapes to very much intricately carved ones. These clocks are characterised by the pinnacle of rounded wood that is intricately carved with designs of either swans, flowers surrounding the clock and have roman numbers serigraphy. The upper and lower doors of the clock have floral designs in the front and glass panes that add beauty. The pendulum and the hour, minute and seconds hands are made of fine brass. The base is also carved with care given to even minimal details. The antique grandfather clocks are rare to find and most home which do have them like to treasure them instead of putting it out for sale.
Today, we have contemporary grandfather clocks of variety of sizes to choose from. You have to decide where to place them before you purchase them- whether in the living room, dining room or your library cum office room. You have also a wide array of styles to choose from like bookcase, curio or storage grandfather clocks. The price will depend on size, inlays, chimes, wood used, carvings and so on. The price ranges from $700 to $130000.