ANTIQUE MANTEL CLOCKS

Mantel clocks are similar to bracket clocks but usually both smaller and with less depth. The first examples dating from around 1750-1760 were made in France. English mantel clocks followed on about ten years later. 

The first French mantel clocks were developed from French Regency bracket clocks, coming into being when similar clocks were created in Rococo style without a mounting bracket. 

It was commonplace to set these clocks on a "mantelpiece", which is where the name comes from. 

It became customary around 1835 to accompany mantel clocks with a pair of matching ornaments. These remained popular throughout the nineteenth century. 

It is easy to distinguish English antique mantel clocks from French ones. English examples mainly have superb mechanisms and graced most studies and libraries.