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Antique kitchen clocks
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Find out a comprehensive guide to buying and collecting vintage kitchen clocks
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Anyone who loves to cook cannot surely do without a reliable kitchen clock. It makes sure that the cook gets the right timing when to get the roast out of the oven, or the exact minutes to boil the soup.
That idea exactly was what inspired the earliest clockmakers to create a clock that could just serve to that purpose.
As time goes by, kitchen clocks have not just provided a means of keeping accurate time for food preparation, but also became invaluable decorative fixtures that can add charm in many households.
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History of kitchen clocks
Like the origins of several other types of antique clocks, kitchen clock also has very limited sources with regards to its history.
But the first known clockmaker company that said to have popularized the concept and style of the earliest kitchen clocks was the Seth Thomas Clock Company.
When Seth Thomas Clock Company made the first known kitchen clocks made mainly of walnut in 1884, they became an instant hit in the market. The company had continued manufacturing this type of clock till 1909, and the designs are now top-notch collectibles in the antique industry.
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What is antique kitchen clock?
The picture that immediately comes to mind when you think of an antique kitchen clock is a pendulum driven mantel clock, with an elaborate carving top design. One good example is an Ingraham kitchen clock from the Ocean Series, made around 1900, which you can see in the picture.
In 1950s, clockmakers came up with new designs of kitchen clocks that became in vogue.
One most notable and singularly charming design during that time was created by Max Bill with his upside-down teardrop-shaped kitchen clock, with a timer at the bottom.
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Beginning from that time onwards, the original mantel form of kitchen clocks had also evolved into a wall clock design as we know them today.
Nowadays, kitchen clocks become invariably wall clocks. Their modern designs vary widely as one’s imagination can go from those clocks made out of utensils and spatulas, to fruit theme and vegetable motif
Prominent antique kitchen clockmakers
The top prominent clockmaker when it comes to antique kitchen clock still remains the Seth Thomas Clock Company. Vintage kitchen clocks made by the company are invaluable collectible items today, particularly those earliest models that the clockmaker had created between 1884 and 1909, which are now sought after by collectors.
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During the Civil War period in America, Ansonia had also made its own earliest models of kitchen clocks that also became a favorite among the consumers during that time.
In the early 1900s, Ingraham had introduced its so-called the Ocean Series of kitchen clocks that are mainly made of oak and its models are an alternative version of the Seth Thomas designs.
The other leading retro kitchen clockmakers also include the William L. Gilbert Clock Company, Waterbury Clock Company, and the 1950s kitchen clock designed by Max Bill.
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Popular antique kitchen clock collectibles
Seth Thomas antique kitchen clocks are greatly prized by collectors around the world. Its original models of walnut kitchen clocks that were produced in between 1885 and 1917 were not only an instant hit during those years, but even until today are still gaining more value.
Ansonia vintage kitchen clocks are another popular antique collectibles that were made around 1861 up to 1865. The Ocean Series created by Ingraham in the early years of 20th century are also the other top-notch collectible items.
Several other antique kitchen clock collectibles are the earliest designs of kitchen wall clocks that were manufactured in 1950s. The most coveted among them is the upside-down teardrop-shaped kitchen clock, which was designed by Max Bill in 1953.
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