 Some
of you may have seen it, most of you may have not. The former
were the lucky few, the latter unfortunate. The grandfather
clock, more commonly referred to as the pendulum clock,
belonged to an era when time made sense, when life was lived;
yes, actually lived. The tall, looming presence of the
grandfather clock was as intimidating as the real grandfather
of the house and just as trustworthy - a symbol of dignity and
unquestionable authority.
 It
was the celebrated Dutch astronomer and physicist Christian
Huygens (1629-93), who invented the pendulum clock sometime
in 1657. London clock makers were quick to take up the
invention, and round about 1660 they designed the longcase grandfather
clock, with a short pendulum of about 25 centimeters (10 inches).
Encased in ebony or walnut, it stood about 6 feet high. In 1670
the long pendulum was introduced making the longcase clock taller
and wider.
Even if these clocks have lost their utilitarian purposes, they
can still be put to good use as a display item or to take care
of a blank wall space. Just place it in a strategic position
in your living room and you're sure to draw gasps of envy from
guests.
Grandfather Clocks are available at:
The Vintage Shop, 103, Oxford House, 15, Rustum Bagh
Main Road, behind Manipal Hospital.
Phone: 080-2527 8777, 080-3252 8877,
Fax: 91-80-25279777.
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