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[S334]Seth Thomas Grandfather Clock

by Mike O'brien, Mik

If you own a long case clock such as a grandfather or grandmother clock, you no doubt have come to love the beauty of its tolling chimes. The classic chime tones that toll from many grandfather clocks have roots in history. Many of us have heard these beautiful melodies without really knowing much about their origin. The variety of clock chimes is fairly wide but there a few classics that have become standard favorites of clockmakers and owners alike.

Some makers of grandfather clocks have been know to incorporate more than one chime tone, giving owners a choice to change the chime. Most standard grandfather clock movements utilize either a twelve or a sixteen chime configuration. The twelve chime arrangement is thought to be the most common. The chimes or tubular bells are struck by hammers at very precise intervals creating the desired melody.

Some grandfather and other long case designs may use just a simple, repetitious chime to mark the hour and half hour segments. Those floor clocks with multiple chime designs make use of several familiar and historic melodies.

Westminster

The historic clock tower at the Palace of Westminster in London has tolled, with very few exceptions, since 1859. Known in popular culture as Big Ben, the clock is the largest four face chiming clock in the world. Featuring the largest bell ever cast at 13 tons, the chimes and the great bell rings out a melody that has become known simply as Westminster. The most famous clock chime melody in the world was quickly adopted by chime clockmakers. There are several variations of the melody with some minor changes in pitch and rhythm.

Saint Michaels

While many chime clockmakers adopted the classic Westminster as a chime tone, another equally beautiful clock chime has its origins in the New World. A little known church in South Carolina became the home of bells that were originally cast in England in the 1760s. The bells were hung in the steeple of Saint Michaels Church in the city of Charleston, South Carolina.

During the Revolutionary War, the British Army captured Charleston. Along with other spoils of war, the British removed the bells from the church and sent them back to England. When the hostilities ended, arrangements were made to send the bells back to Saint Michaels. In the early 1820s crack were found in the bells, and once again found their way back to London to be remade.

During the American Civil War, there was an attempt to keep the bells out of the hands of the Union Army. In spite of being hidden away in Columbia, South Carolina, the fortunes of war were not kind to the bells of Saint Michaels. During the Union invasion of Columbia, the armies of General Sherman destroyed the bells. Since the original molds still resided in England, the bells were once again recast and the new set sent back to Charleston. In 1867, the bells were hung in the church where they have been to this day.

Whittington

The origins of the Whittington chime are thought to be much older than the popular Westminster chime. Located in the Cheapside area of London, the Church of Saint Mary Le Bow has been home to the bells since 1392.

Ave Maria

The chiming of Ave Maria follows that melody of this beautiful song. Written by the classical composer Franz Schubert as part of a larger work, the song has long been a favorite of church choirs and operatic performers for many years and is one the most recognizable and beloved melodies in the world.

Home decorating pros put up interior and exterior styles that look so easy on the eye. You won't have an inkling that to create that effect, home decorators consider many factors to achieve the desired result. Many of them have relied on a contemporary grandfather clock to give that spirited touch to many modern homes.

Recreating That Quiet Retreat in A Big City

People living in noisy and unfriendly cities long for a retreat that provides warmth, relaxation, and cheer. Those who can afford interior decorators can express that they want their homes to give them that serenity akin to their memories of home. And following the elements of contemporary decorating styles, home decorators add a timekeeper like the contemporary grandfather clock - with a twist.

For those living in impersonal apartments and high rises, decorators warm up the minimalist interiors with dramatic colors to enliven the room. A kitchen with stainless steel fixtures is made homier with an old fashioned clock on the mantel. In the living room or den, a contemporary clock in wrought-iron simulating an outdoor feel is set up as focal point.

Interior decorators are flexible artists and can adopt styles responsive to suit any demand and temperament. If you want a country-style living room, a jazzy den, or popular, modern, or minimalist decorating, there will always be one contemporary grandfather clock that will complement your chosen style. Whether you are in a big smoggy city or in a tree-lined suburb, you'll find that longed-for peace and quiet right in your parlor.

A Clock for City Digs

For the American country look in the parlor, the home decorator will propose some faux antiqued logs to depict the interiors of a log cabin in the woods to match with a firestone fireplace. A large sofa and smaller chairs around a focal low table laden with baskets of flowers will take up space.

The seating arrangement may overlook the cityscape or face the fireplace. The cozy atmosphere will be enhanced by the chiming of the Kinzie, a clock with a cherry case accented with burl inlays. The polished pendulum enhances the golden glow of the cherry wood polished with select veneers. The warm glow of the case and the glint of the pendulum will lend a rustic charm to the entire parlor.

The Howard Miller Satinwood, designed with a minimalist focus, is very right for the minimalist home decorating theme. The black satinwood will break the monotony of the light-colored walls. By itself, this clock is a sharp study in contrast to the black satinwood and nickel pendulum and weights. The curved glasstop softens the entire look of the clock without detracting a fraction of its appearance.

The Viveka from Kieninger won't need any complementing piece. It has the ultra modern look, fusing light, silver, chrome, and glass. Nine tubes play the Westminster, St. Michaels, and Whittington chimes that are driven by the movement of a triple chime cable. To top it off, the anchor pivots are bedecked with 12 rubies.

Any contemporary grandfather clock will fit into any decorating schemes. Whether you want the country, pop, modern, or the minimalist look, the wide selection will always yield the right grandfather clock that will keep in time for years. Deciding to redecorate? Think of the contemporary grandfather clock.

Article Source : Pg. 64

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Both Mike O'brien & Andrei Myers are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Mike O'brien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture, Information Technology and Gardening. Mike O'Brien is the staff writer for the quality online store FineWebStores.com. Shop for. Mike O'brien's top article generates over 18100 views. Bookmark Mike O'brien to your Favourites.

Andrei Myers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Accessories, Home Management and Computers and The Internet. Want a contemporary grandfather clock? Check out the. Andrei Myers's top article generates over 49500 views. Bookmark Andrei Myers to your Favourites.