Grandfather clocks are among the most stunning accessories anyone can own. An old classic never fails to please, and this one is no exception.
This clock adds elegance to any room that it is displayed in with its hourly chimes, art carved in the wood case, and decorative numbering.
However, in consideration of this piece’s need for proper ventilation, what is the best room for it?
Grandfather clocks can be placed in any room of the house, including the entryway, living room, dining room, and master bedroom. Their parts, however, are very sensitive to temperature changes. So carefully choose an area that is free of moisture and heat to avoid any damage to the clock.
Despite their value and unique décor in any space they are placed, grandfather clocks need utmost care away from heat and moisture-filled areas.
Read ahead for more details on the best rooms for placing this piece of art.
How Do I Know How Old My Grandfather Clock Is?
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A majority of grandfather clocks are at least 100 years old with little available forgeries because replicating such an old antique is quite difficult.
The mechanics of these clocks have not changed since their first production, despite the various changes in their styles and fashions.
There may be a greater need to check how old these clocks are since thousands of them are still suitable for today’s demand, as most of them were not manufactured in the 21st century.
So here is how you can tell of the clock’s age based on the following factors
Movement and Pendulums
Originally, the pendulum of the watch was a thin rod with a small round bob at the head. The style of the movement dates back to the 18th century.
The bob-head, which was initially encased in brass, was flattened and replaced by a flat iron strip with the changes in its trend and fashion. There were occasional black or gold paints on round bobs as well.
If you check your clock, it could be either the earlier make or the latest with the flat iron strips.
Manufacturer Seal
Almost all American manufacturers have been stamping their names on the clock’s back plate or at the edges of the face since the 19th century.
Additionally, the mark might have a serial number with a date and place of origin.
Numbering
The clock should have either the earliest form of numerals or a half-hour number with an arrowhead or a simple diamond shape.
However, even the numbering changed in the 18th century, with most clocks updating to Roman Numerals as ‘IV’ while others used ‘IIII.’
Why Are Grandfather Clocks So Expensive?
Grandfather clocks are expensive because of their complexity and numerous other features that have been very difficult for fake clock manufacturers to reproduce.
You might have desired this old antique knowing the cheapest grandfather clock is $250, only to discover its value is much higher than you’d expect; because of their appraising value.
However, to tell of its value, the following factors do matter:
Materials
In addition to the various quality wood accents such as cherry, walnut, and oak, the clock is full of precious metal elements, including brass, gold, or silver, for its numbering decoration. The hourly chimes also take into account much time to create in addition to its hard case glass windows, among other factors.
Complexity
In case you find cracked glasses or faded pendulums, you may want to confirm you have the right clock. This is because the original grandfather clocks maintain their standard in everything on them.
This includes the overall case with unique touches of finish having engraved carvings and wood lays; steel and brass pendulums; and many other parts that you may need professional expertise to tell of their uniqueness.
What Room Should a Grandfather Clock Go in?
Despite its unique functionality and decorations, the grandfather clock works best when placed in a disturbance-free and environmentally comfortable room.
In addition, when thinking of where to place your grandfather clock, you need to remember it showcases its pricey feature best when placed on the floors of important public areas in the house.
You can, however, place the clock in the following areas:
Entryway
These places often have huge spaces left to waste, more so if your house has a designed foyer. This might be your perfect place as long as it’s not in a corner prone to damping that could damage the clock.
Additionally, this point may be advantageous since the clock’s resonation can be heard all over the house.
If you, however, have a squeezed entryway, you may want to consider a designed space specifically for the clock on the side of the wall.
This should be shaped exactly as the clock and its paintings can be designed, not to match but complement the clock’s touch of finish.
Living Room
This is your first impression room whenever visitors walk into your home. Therefore, having it here is a real plus in its elegance, blending with the room’s decoration and entire theme.
Its functionality as a clock as well as a piece of art makes it the centerpiece in the room.
Dining Area
It has a unique work of art worth admiring when enjoying tastier meals. However, you may not want to put it close to the cooking area because of heat and moisture effects.
So it needs to be in spaces with perfect ventilation.
If you were to match the decors, you might go for dining furniture similar to that of the clock’s casing.
This gives the eyes in the room false despair of look-alike furniture in the room only to trail up its height to notice what exactly it is, chiming every hour.
Bedroom
As much as visitors may not be welcomed in your master bedroom, you still deserve something sleeker and elegant to complete your room’s furnishings.
However, the hourly chime might not go down with all people, but as long as you are fine with it, why not have it to decorate your sleeping space?
How Long Do Grandfather Clocks Last?
These pieces of art need professional maintenance at least every 10 years by oiling the moving parts, surface polishing the carvings, as well as spray cleaning the glass, and several other cleaning basics.
These guarantees a lifetime of service that can be passed on from generation to generation.
It is more functionally safe to have the clock in a controlled room temperature at home since some of the clock’s parts are susceptible to thermal expansion due to temperature changes.
This also contracts the pendulum rods with variation in humidity.
Some of its detailed maintenance includes:
Ultrasonic Overhaul
Professionals refer to this procedure as “bathing” the clock; deep cleaning of its interior parts.
The clock is thoroughly cleaned after removing the case and re-oiling after cleaning it in a degreasing machine that “scrubs”; cleans all metal pieces.
Winding
The grandfather clocks are wound differently depending on their production year. Some of these clocks may need winding once a week.
However, if that can be too expensive to go along with, you may want to consider getting battery-powered grandfather clocks that use no windings.
Oiling
This should be done at least every two years, and if you skip the procedure, some of the moving parts may dry out, attracting dust.
This will eventually lead to the wearing of such parts, a fact that may void the clock’s warranty.
