Ring in the New Year: Mantle Clocks, Part Two

This Mary MacDonald bedroom has touches of black throughout--including the mantle clock on the shelf.
Courtesy of: The Allure of Style.

Last week, I focused on very fancy mantle clocks. Today, we will examine their humbler--but, to my eyes, even more delightful and useful--cousins.We'll start with the ever-utilitarian black mantle clock.

 Black Mantle Clocks

Jane and Stephen Garney's house, courtesy of Elle Decor. Photo: John M. Hall

In New Classic Interiors, the Italian-born, Chicago-based  interior designer Alessandra Branca writes, "Every room needs a touch of black to give it depth." I wholeheartedly agree. (And think about it: so often a room has a television, phone or some other black appliance in it; a black accoutrement helps tie in those disparate elements.) What could be a better, more charming choice than a black mantle clock? Black mantle clocks, rendered in either stone or cast iron, appear frequently at auction. (For a cast iron clock, be sure to include the shipping cost into your budget: these babies are not light!) Here are some fine examples...

Ansonia cast iron mantle clock, circa 1890. Estimate $225-350. At auction in Denver on January 15th.

Black slate and marble inset clock. At auction in Saugus, MA on January 12th. Estimate $200-250.

Keep one of these four clocks for yourself, above, save the rest as housewarming or anniversary gifts for special friends.
At Rago Auctions on January 13th, estimate $300-500. 

Ansonia four column marble and cast iron mantle clock, at Bruhn's on January 15th, estimate $150-275.

Japy Freres Duhme slate and marble mantle clock, circa 1900. At Cowan's in Ohio on January 12th, estimate $300-500.

Wooden Mantle Clocks

An Arts & Crafts clock in a Michael S. Smith bedroom. From Elements of Style.

Arts & Crafts style New Haven Clock, circa 1910. At Bruhn's on January 15th, estimate $100-150.

By now, you may have noticed that many of the lots mentioned in this and the previous post are available at Bruhn's in Denver. This is because the whole January 15th auction is devoted to clocks. Single category auctions like these attract experts: zealous collectors and antiques retailers. The good thing about these kinds of auctions is that the estimates tend to be where the market is: Bruhn's knows its stuff. If the estimates seem low, its because mantle clocks are an antiques store's dream: portable, storable, with tremendous eye appeal, and you're used to seeing those prices. One thing is clear: once you see what you can pay for mantle clocks in the wholesale market, it is highly unlikely you'll ever be capable of stomaching retail prices again!

Early steeple clocks. At Bruhn's in Denver on January 15th, estimate $100-175.

English Aesthetic Movement Shelf Clock. At Bruhn's on January 15th, estimate $350-475.

Franz Hermie German Bracket Clock. In Denver on January 15th, estimate $250-350.

Rosewood cuckoo mantle clock. At Fairfield auctions on January 15th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

To find out whether the clock you're interested in actually runs:  if the clock is in "Good" or "Excellent" condition, it most likely works. But to be certain: call or email the auction house and ask! I think it's nice to have them function, but don't overlook the ones that don't, as they make a beautiful addition regardless.

George III mahogany and brass mantle clock. At Skinner on January 14th. Estimate $1,500-2,500.

Viennese ebonized mantle clock. At Skinner on January 14th, estimate $1,200-1,800.