Antique Clocks Blog

Buy Antique Clocks Online May 10, 2013

Pendulum of Mayfair  offer free UK delivery on all their grandfather clocks and will set the clock up for you in your home ensuring that it is working correctly. They also offer a one year’s guarantee on all purchases so you can buy from them with total peace of mind.

To buy a very special antique clock online visit the Pendulum of Mayfair website at http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/ .

Looking for Grandfather Clocks? April 28, 2013

Where to Buy Bracket Clocks April 7, 2013

If you are a collector of antique bracket clocks and are searching for beautiful authentic examples of these clocks then you would be well advised to visit the website of Pendulum of Mayfair at http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/category/antique-bracket-clocks who are one of the UKs leading specialist online retailers of the very highest quality antique clocks and are also part of the renowned and respected company Coppelia Antiques Ltd.

Pendulum of Mayfair offer some stunning examples of authentic antique bracket clocks that date right back to the 1700s from well-known clock makers such as Robert Molyneux & Sons, Hanson, Benjamin Stennett, Arnold & Dent and many others all of which can be seen in full detail on their website.

Indeed one of the finest examples of a truly beautiful antique bracket clock that Pendulum of Mayfair are currently offering for sale is a bracket Clock by Benjamin Stennett that dates back to circa 1790 and is described by the expert team at Pendulum of Mayfair as being: ‘An outstanding ebonized bracket clock with double fusee movement striking the hours on a single bell and ’8-day’ duration.’. For any avid collector of antique bracket clocks this must surely be a must have purchase!

To view the wide selection of fine antique bracket clocks simple visit the Pendulum of Mayfair website and for any specific enquires please contact them via the website at http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/contact

Antique Clocks March 31, 2013

If you admire and collect antique clocks then there is no finer supplier of authentic antique clocks from the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries than Pendulum of Mayfair

Pendulum of Mayfair is a specialist UK based online retailer of the very finest antique clocks and are part of Coppelia Antiques Ltd.  Whether you admire the imposing statuesque beauty of grandfather clocks or the elegance of long case or tall case clocks there is a style of clock to suit all tastes available to purchase through their website at :  http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/

Pendulum of Mayfair are experts in the sympathetic restoration of antique clocks to the very highest standards of craftsmanship and you can rest assured that not only are all the clocks that they sell verified antiques, but that where necessary, they have been lovingly repaired and restored by their highly experienced team of highly trained cabinet restorers and horologists.

Pendulum of Mayfair was founded by Roy Clements through his long held passion as a collector of antique clocks which started as a child of 13 working alongside his father helping him to renovate and restoring antique clocks and internal clock workings. Roy and his wife Valerie, also involved in  the antique clocks market, are both very actively involved in the family run business of Pendulum of Mayfair and when you buy your antique clock from them you buy with total peace of mind that your new purchase is genuine, verified and in full working order for you to enjoy for many years to come.

To view the wide selection of fine antique clocks simple visit the Pendulum of Mayfair website and for any specific enquiries please contact them via the website at http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/contact

European Antique Clocks February 8, 2013

It seems for the last few issues of my blog I have been on a sort of busman’s holiday around the world looking at antique clocks. It is amazing how this country has literally pulled the world together or connected it through our history. I examined the close ties with Australia and antique clocks in my last blog. I have also written about the clockmakers that headed to USA  for a new life. In both countries this meant the setting up production of a new industry in clockmaking. In one of my last blogs concerning clocks from around the world, I will look at antique clocks that were made for a particular market. Two countries spring to mind instantly. In the 18th century antique clocks manufactured in London were being sent to countries like Turkey and to another one of our close allies, Portugal. It is our connection with Portugal I will consider here as we have just restored a fantastic London mahogany grandfather clock pictured above that has spent its entire life in Lisbon, I believe, until we purchased it at the end of last year. The superb example is pictured above. You will see the clock is made by the great clockmakers Spencer and Perkins in London around C1770 and it has a strike/silent to the arch saying Repite and Surdo, clearly in Portuguese. This clock was exhibited in Lisbon in 1986 to commemorate the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It was then 600 years since this historic battle. Right so what exactly is our connection with Portugal. Well the Anglo-Portugese Treaty of 1373 signed between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal is I believe the oldest treaty in the world. It was a treaty established between two great seafaring nations, a treaty of, “perpetual friendships, unions [and] alliances”. This little heard of treaty has been reinforced throughout history, including in 1386 in this Battle of Aljubarrota. Here the English sent 100 longbowmen, veterans from the Hundred Years wars to honour this alliance in 1373. There were about 6,500 men on the Portuguese and English side against a force from the Crown of Castile, Kingdom of France and Arogonese allies and Italian allies of over 31,000 men. The Portuguese with the help of the English managed to win against overwhelming odds. In 1386, the closeness of the relations between Portugal and England resulted in a permanent military alliance, with the Treaty of Windsor, the eldest still active in existence. This treaty came into play again in 1643,1654,1660,1661,1703,1815,1899. It was also recognized in the Treaties of Arbitration in 1904 and 1914. This Treaty was also used during the Second World War and was also cited during the 1982 Falklands War.

During the rise of the clockmaking in the UK in the 18th century under King George II and III we were at war with or on opposite sides with France many times. Supply of wine after French ports were blockaded became a problem. Our alliances with Portugal made British merchants look further afield. Port was invented as in order to stabilize the wines during their long journey at sea, merchants added a bucket or two or brandy to the barrels before sending them off.  Britain and Portugal signed the Methuen Treaty providing for, among other things, bolts of cloth from England for pipes of wine from Portugal. This paved the way for the enormous expansion of port trade in the 18th and 19th-centuries. King George III was rather partial it was believed to this drink, and he helped his allies from Portugal during many occasions. It was believed fine antiques and clocks and other items were sent after various disastrous earth quakes in Portugal. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake was one of the most deadly earthquakes in history.

The pictures above show one such clock that was manufactured in London but sent out to Lisbon, Portugal in the 18th century. It has spent, I believe,  all but the last few months overseas. It has a very unusual packing block behind the movement that looks original to the case. This appears to be the way the movement was bolted down for shipment in the 18th century. A really rare feature which you can see below. There is also an 18th century brass plate on the back of the movement that attaches to this block.

It is a fantastic antique clock and it can be viewed on our website, please contact me for any further information.

Daniel R Clements http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk