Finishes and Levels of Distressing of a Grandfather Clock

If you are looking to buy a grandfather clock or thinking about rebuilding the one you have, then eventually you will need to select the color of the clock. What finish you choose completely depends on your personal preferences and style of the room where the grandfather clock will be put. Premier Clocks prepared an easy guide on grandfather clock finishes and levels of distressing to help you to make the decision.

What is the Traditional Grandfather Clock Finish?

Finishes on grandfather clocks followed trends of the finishes on furniture from the same period. That’s why it’s difficult to say what is the traditional finish for a grandfather clock since they have been made for more than 400 hundred years.

For example, oak was a popular material for the earliest cases and higher quality clocks would be finished with ebony or pearwood. For producing agrandfather clock in the 19th century, oak and mahogany were commonly used. At the same time, the most exclusive pieces were made of olive-wood and walnut.

What are the Finishes of a Grandfather Clock?

There is a wide variety of materials from which grandfather clocks are made. Many grandfather clocks are constructed using hardwoods and veneers while finishes are formulated to gently enhance the natural beauty of select woods. The finishing material is commonly made from wood such as beech, cherry, mahogany and oak. 

It’s important to note that the wood finishes are intended for use as a general color reference. Due to the unique nature and character of wood, including grain variations and density, the finish samples below may be slightly different from actual manufactured products.

What are the Levels of Distressing?

How to Take Care of Grandfather Clock Finish?

High quality grandfather clock finishes are meticulously applied by the adept hands of the experienced craftspeople. When you examine a finish, you should not only be able to see the beauty, but feel the quality of the finish as well. To protect your grandfather clock, it’s a good idea to cover it with polishthat is formulated to produce a hard dry finish that does not attract or capture dust and it will be easier to remove with a simple swipe with a feather duster.

 

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