Bracket clock

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Bracket clocks were developed in last quarter of the 17th century. They are composed of two matching pieces created as an ensemble: clock and small decorative shelf. Bracket clocks are usually about one 1'H x 9"W. They are almost always made of wood and often ornamented with ormolu mounts, brass inlay, wood or tortoise shell veneer, or decorative varnish. Most so called bracket clocks are really spring-driven table clocks. These clocks almost always had repeating work. That is to say it was possible to make the clock strike the last hour again at will. This was especially useful during the night. Many clocks which could repeat did not normally strike every hour. One did not want to awaken by the striking every hour. So they either had a strike silent lever or they didn't strike unless the repeat mechanism was pulled. The clock could hardly be said to be repeating anything if it hadn't struck in the first place. But the mechanism used to perform the strike was identical to the mechanism used in a clock which did strike every hour, and have the facility to repeat. So it was still called a repeating clock, and they are called silent pull repeaters. If one considers that these clocks were expensive items in their day, a household would not have one in every room. The clock was portable so it could be taken to the bedroom or wherever. They were not all confined to a bracket.