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Those who are experts in the field of antique clocks will perhaps refer to a specific type of clock by different name if it is in a different area and people may sometimes be bamboozled by this. For instance in the UK something that would be familiar to people as a 'bracket clock' might be known as a 'mantle clock' by an antique dealer in the United States.

For those of you learning about clocks, there are several basic categories for antique clocks, in which are contained subcategories. For example, there is a basic category of clocks called "Beehives," which contains the subcategories of Gothic and Ripple beehives. Similarly, the basic "Drop Trunk" category contains the subcategories of "Schoolhouse," "Act of Parliament," and other types of Drop Trunk clocks.

Advertising clocks is a collective term used for clocks for promotional reasons which show advertising somewhere on the clock case or dial. The clock may also be used as a portion of the advertising, such as when a clock is integrated into a bigger sign. Most often found as shelf or wall clocks, or more rarely as Long-case or 'Grandfather' clocks, these are wonderful antique wall clocks.

Human beings are fascinated by time, and the passage of time. It is that deep interest that has led to seemingly mundane inventions such as the alarm clock. People's need to measure time and use time have led to technological advances over 6 millenia.

The very first early mechanical clocks, which didn't have pendulums, were developed in the last half of the thirteenth century, probably by monks from central Europe, and were placed within the church. They did not have dials or hands and only struck bells on the hour.

These mechanical devices were probably placed in the church belfry in order to make use of the existing church bell. It was over 100 years before visible dials and hands were added. These early clocks were very large and were made of heavy iron frames and gears forged by the local blacksmiths. By the first part of the fifteenth century, small domestic clocks started to appear. They were probably made by the local gunsmiths or locksmiths. These antique clocks are very expensive.

The Antique Clocks Shoppe features a wide variety of antique clocks, Mantle clocks, antique wall clocks, and other vintage clocks. Be sure to check out our antique clock blog and antique clock videos!