Carriage clocks are typically clocks of a moderate size and they tend to be rather rectangular in shape. They are specifically designed to be sturdy in the face of long trips, whether you are traveling by land or by sea, and they are specifically intended to avoid being broken by the roughness of travel. They saw their primary use during the 19th century, when people carried them with them on trips by carriage and that is where they got there name.
Carriage clocks came into their own around the end of the 1860′s, when they were quite popular as birthday gifts and wedding gifts, as well as for royal celebrations and political events.
Though their primary intention was to serve as travel clocks, its size is a little larger than that of a usual travel clock. The large size is a real benefit when it comes to protecting the delicate spring mechanism of the clock itself.
To know if travel clocks are actually real carriage clocks, you have to know the basics first. The first thing you should notice is that the case is usually made of metals bright enough like silver or polished brass. Basically covered in clear glass to make it easy to read, the hands are sometimes colored pitch black while the background could be painted with scenes on clear porcelain. Theyre sometimes ornately decorated with detailed and crafted figures that complement the overall design. Most antique clocks are designed this way though. Also, they can be identified easily because of their carrying handles so as to make it convenient to hold.
A lot of these clocks are made with some tunes or full songs (inside the clockworks) that mark the hours. With a wide array of notes and chords, some of them are even designed to play classical melodies (but theyre mostly just chimes). There are also large bells on top of these carriage clocks that sound every hour.
Lined with clean markings that trace through the elaborate features, the designs are traced with beautiful figures such as inlaid enamel, porcelain, gemstones, stamped scrolls, or other such patterns. Mostly, theyre designed with leaves or branches or some other such foliage.
Carriage clocks are quite wonderfully regal and you’ll find that as soon as you see a few that they are a great addition to any home. They can be both functional and decorative, and they are very nice when placed on a mantel or a couch. If you like a touch of the antique around your home, they are perfect.
When you are looking at modern clocks, especially, you’ll discover that many of them have quartz movements rather than spring driven movements. The clear glass will often give you a great view of the internal workings and the design casings are sometimes stripped to give you a better look.
If you are looking for the perfect carriage clock, make sure that you take a look online. There are still plenty that are sold in stores, and there are companies that have a long history in making these classical clocks. Why not look into a traditional clock that has been made by a company that has been in the business over the last century? There are lots of great options to choose from!
