The seclusion only added to the sense of anticipation that came over me when I entered the house. My favorite time was to enter just as the clocks started chiming. Clocks, you say? More than one? Well, yes, my Grandparents also had a love affair with clocks - Grandfather clocks, Grandmother clocks, Cuckoo clocks, and any other type of clock that announced the time passing with some sort of melodious chime, ring or bong and of course the sound of the cuckoo bird.
There were clocks all over the house and the sound of all of them making their wonderful sounds as it reached the top of the hour was magical, especially the bong, bong, bong of the Grandfather clocks. It only got better as the hour hand reached up into the double digits. One of my favorite memories is going to sleep at that house with the music of the clocks lulling me to sleep. To this day, the sound of a Grandfather clock chiming or bonging gives me a peaceful feeling, as though I were a little girl again, back in that big stone house.
Now you know why I love Grandfather clocks so much, and of course I have one in my home. Why are they so popular? The nostalgic and unforgettable chime of a grandfather clock is a sound that brings back good memories. They mark the passage of a slow summer day, and the end of one, as you come home after a hard day's work. The chime of the hours passing gives one the comforting feeling that all is well.
Grandfather Clocks have been in existence for hundreds of years, and are one of history's most distinctive and enduring heirloom pieces of furniture. The fine craftsmanship and decor they give to your home is unmatched by any other piece of furniture. Grandfather clocks are symbols of elegance and time, and now forever have their place in history as one of our treasured family heirlooms.
In 1582 Galileo calculated that a mainspring clock movement could be more accurately controlled when it was combined with a swinging pendulum movement. It would take another seventy years for this discovery to be fully understood. While they were popular in Europe in homes of grandeur and nobility in the 1600 and early 1700's, in America, Grandfather clocks go back to the first settlement in North America, known today as the state of Virginia. By the late 1700's, grandfather clocks were appearing in homes as a mark of prosperity.
If you want a Grandfather clock, you can buy a new one. There are many fine clockmakers in the world today Howard Miller is the largest manufacturer of Grandfather clocks and their clockmaking is of the highest quality. If you have the soul of an artist and want to restore an antique Grandfather clock, you will be happy to know that they are relatively easy to find. Many people do not know what a treasure they have in their antique clocks and leave them in a corner of a room to collect dust, and would no doubt be happy to have you take one off their hands. Depending on the condition of the one you find, it is a project to restore one of these. But the superior craftsmanship of these elegant timepieces, and their burnished wood surfaces and intricate carvings make restoring one a worthy endeavor.
In the world of clocks, Grandfather clocks are among the most memorable of heirlooms. Be sure to cherish yours and take care of it so you can pass it down to your children and they to their children.
Yet, it is highly important that you take good care of your grandfather clock. To some people, there is nothing more annoying than a clock that fails to provide the correct time. Also, while it can certainly be gratifying to purchase an antique clock, you don't want your clock to "show its age" after just a few months in your home.
The best way to ensure that you will be able to take care of a grandfather clock properly is to exercise caution when selecting a clock to buy. Whether you are interested in a new or used model, you probably have hundreds of choices to consider. You should examine each individual cabinet as you would any other piece of furniture. Be sure to carefully consider the finish and the overall quality. For instance, if you're looking for a stunning piece that is particularly easy to care for, you might consider a 100 percent cherry, oak, or mahogany cabinet. In such a case, you'll need to buy an older clock to get what you want.
You'll be much better off purchasing a grandfather clock from a clock dealer rather than from a general furniture store. This is because a dealer can offer better service after the sale. This means that, working with a dealer, you should have an easier time caring for your clock. Also, be sure that you examine the actual clock you're purchasing, rather than just buying a clock delivered from a warehouse. Otherwise, you could end up with a clock that is damaged and will therefore be difficult to take care of. If you notice dents or scratches on the surfaces of the weights or pendulum, be sure to alert a customer service representative, so that those problems can be dealt with before you get the clock home. If you want a truly durable grandfather clock, you'll probably have to purchase one that is about 40 to 50 percent more expensive than the cheapest model.
If you purchase an older clock, you may have more difficulty taking care of it over the long run. This is because many older clocks have not been fully serviced before the sale because of the cost involved. Essentially, the dealer will probably do only that amount of maintenance necessary to get the clock running. As a result, you could find yourself facing significant maintenance costs later on. Also, be aware of the fact that a spring-driven clock does not usually last as long as a weight-driven clock.
In order to care for your clock properly, it's important that you have your grandfather clock cleaned at least once every five years. The cleaner your clock, the better it is likely to function. Since a grandfather clock represents a treasured piece of history, you need to care for it as you would any prized possession.
Both Elle Dixey & Mike Barus are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.