The Majesty of the Grandfather Clock
I’ve only ever been exposed to one grandfather clock on a regular basis—the clock that sat in the hall of my Christian school. It was a gift, and it sat in the hall calling out the hours and parts of an hour during class time, its deep, majestic sound being heard for the whole floor.
There’s something regal about grandfather clocks that tell time (or at least appears to tell time) with the pendulum moving. It’s a unique form of art and a joy to behold.
Now that we’re gearing up to start educating our children, I think back to that clock and the fond memories surrounding it.
It seems like today’s society actually wants things more minimalist, than big and bold. The neat thing about a grandfather clock is the size of the space that it takes up. It has presence, it is a piece of furniture in the room. It’s a piece that calls attention, and gives authority to the time. It states its purpose loud and clear.
Whether it’s a Howard Miller grandfather clock, or some other clock, there are many to choose from. You can take the time to actually choose a clock not because of the function, but because of the form. You can find one that fits your style, or accents the area that you wish to put it in. It will be a conversation piece, and it can compliment other things you have.
For instance, if I had one it would be in my dining room, near my piano and table as a complimentary piece. The wood colors would be accented by the other pieces in the room to give it a good look.
But wherever you put it, you’ll be glad you have it.
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Comments from MInTheGap
AG said,
Wrote on June 13, 2008 @ 10:32 am Subscribed
MIn, grandfather clocks are amazing. My parents’ house has an old one that sits just outside my old bedroom door. It’s stopped working long ago, but I remember that faithful chime and I remember the first night I spent away from home, I couldn’t sleep because that chime was missing.
I was on the phone with a student from Tennessee yesterday and kept hearing his clock go off every fifteen minutes in the background. It made me feel so happy!
AGs last blog post..The World of Online College
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on June 13, 2008 @ 11:08 am
@AG: There are many memories attached to sounds– it’s amazing. Thanks for sharing that!
Mary said,
Wrote on June 16, 2008 @ 11:46 am
This resonates with me also…my parents have two grandfather clocks, huge ones, probably 7-8 feet tall. They were smuggled separately out of Germany by my dad’s family right before WW1 in coffins! Can you believe it? The story goes that the family told the border patrol they were taking their grandfather to his homeland for burial.
(He must have been a giant!)
Marys last blog post..Faith
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on June 16, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
@Mary: That is incredibly amusing. Talk about technicalities!
Now, if only I had a bigger house then I’d have room for one!