Historical Styles of the Longcase Clock

Historical Styles of the Longcase Clock

Comtoise Clocks

Comtoise clocks, also known as Morbier or Morez clocks. They are a style of longcase clock made in the French region of Franche Comte, hense the name. These clocks began production in 1680 and continued for 230 years. Astonishingly, during the years (1850-1890) over 60,000 clocks were made. These clocks feature a curving "potbellied" case and a greater use of curved lines in the overall design. Often a heavy, elongated, exceedingly ornamented pendulum bob is used in the case. Many Comtoise clocks can be found in France, but they are also frequently found in Spain, and Germany. Some are even in the USA.

Bornholm Clocks

Bornholm clocks are Danish longcase clocks in the form of a tall wooden box. They were made on Bornholm (Danish island in the Baltic Sea) from 1745 to 1900. Bornholm clock-making began in the 1740s when an English ship, which had longcase clocks in its hold, was stranded at the island. They were sent for repair. The clocks went to a turner (A turner is a worker who uses a lathe for metal and wood working.) named Paul Ottesen Arboe in Renne (a town on Bornholm) and as a result of his repair of these clocks, he learned enough about clocks to begin to make his own.

I can't even imagine the colorful history that I will be continuing to runinto with my continued reading.