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Skeleton Clocks
The skeleton clock is a very popular and collectible item. It is simply a mechanical clock in which as much as possible of the casing has been removed. This exposes the normally hidden mechanism to view. You can clearly see what makes a skeleton clock work. Although the skeleton clock is essentially a novelty item, the visibility of so much of the mechanism encouraged clockmakers to produce intricate and aesthetically pleasing designs. Good examples often have a strong "wow" factor even amongst those not normally interested in horology. Manufacture of skeleton clocks began in France in the latter half of the eighteenth century. They spread rapidly to England where they were on sale at the London Great Exhibition of 1851. By this time the level of production in England was at least as great as in France. During the 19th century it became increasingly popular to build "themed" skeleton clocks, for example clocks were modelled on buildings such as St Paul's Cathedral. |
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