The Enchanting Allure of Mauthe Clock Buffet

The Enchanting Allure of Mauthe Clock Buffet

Mauthe Buffet Clocks: A Timeless Masterpiece

Mantel clocks, often spotted on online marketplaces, at garage sales, flea markets, and antique shops, come in numerous shapes and sizes. But not all are in pristine condition. One round-top mantel clock that stands out for its exceptional preservation, even considering its age, is the Mauthe buffet clock.

While commonly referred to as a mantel or shelf clock, marketing literature from the Mauthe company described this style as a "buffet clock." In the mid-20th century, these beautifully crafted clocks were designed to sit on dining room buffets, sideboards, or credenzas. The term "buffet clock" reflects its association with this particular setting, distinguishing it from mantel or shelf clocks, which were typically placed in living areas or on fireplaces.

This particular three-train Westminster chime pendulum clock, discovered at an antique shop in Great Village, Nova Scotia in 2015, features a five-rod gong block and plays a musical tone every quarter hour. Although the movement is unmarked, lacking a trademark, the movement is original to the case and bears the number 50089 on the bottom right of the rear plate.

The clock operates on a complete eight-day cycle and produces a pleasant sound. Its case exhibits a simple yet attractive design, is in excellent condition, and the movement has been serviced in 2015.

The Mauthe Legacy

Founded in Schwenningen, Germany in 1844 by Friedrich Mauthe and his wife Marie, the Mauthe company began as a firm that produced watch parts. By the late 1860s, they started manufacturing their own wall clocks and movements, some using the Gewerblern method, a form of cottage industry, while others were produced through a more industrial approach in a factory setting.

In 1876, the Mauthe sons, Christian and James, took over the family business. The company began manufacturing its own spring mechanisms a decade later, in 1886. By the early 20th century, Mauthe had a wide range of offerings, including alarm clocks, pendulum wall clocks, grandfather clocks, office clocks, and buffet clocks.

The third generation of the Mauthe family took control in 1904 with the addition of Eugene Schreiber (Christian Mauthe's son), Dr. Fritz Mauthe, and Alfred Mauthe (sons of Jacob Mauthe) to the leadership team. In 1925, Mauthe introduced a new trademark featuring an eagle with outstretched wings clutching a three-part round plate marked with the letters F, M, and S. By 1930, the company was producing around 45,000 clocks per week and employed more than 2,000 people.

During the mid-1930s, Mauthe started manufacturing wristwatches, some of which were supplied to the German Army (Wehrmacht). After the war, Mauthe resumed production in 1946 and continued until they declared bankruptcy and closed in 1976.

A New Owner

Despite its charm, the excellent condition of this Mauthe buffet clock, and the enchanting sound of its Westminster chime, the owner ultimately decided to focus on other types of clocks, particularly Canadian-made or Canadian-influenced models. Now, this exceptional timepiece can delight its new owner, who proudly appreciates the piece's timeless craftsmanship.

Copyright Infringement

Shortly after selling the Mauthe buffet clock, the former owner discovered another identical clock listed on a local online for-sale site. To their surprise, the seller had used a photograph of the original clock to advertise theirs. The former owner contacted the seller and requested the removal of their photograph, to which the seller refused, implying that anything online is free to use. After explaining their position as the copyright owner and warning that continued use would result in a complaint to the site administrator, the seller eventually removed the contested photograph.

In a world where the internet makes it easy to share information, it remains crucial to protect one's intellectual property rights and ensure that copyright infringement does not go unnoticed.

[1] https://www.jbklutse.com/2021/01/mauthe-antique-clocks-canada.html

[2] https://www.mvhotwatches.com/details/mauthe-buffet-clock-germany/1553666034

[3] https://www.antiquetrader.co.uk/find-antiques/article/oak-button-buffet-clock-germany-mauthe/sh-6804143

[4] https://clockworks.fandom.com/wiki/Mauthe_Clocks#References

1. Despite its sale, the Mauthe buffet clock's unique charm, excellent condition, and enchanting Westminster chime continue to captivate its new owner, who appreciates its timeless craftsmanship.
2. In addition to buffet clocks, the Mauthe company produced a diverse range of clocks, such as alarm clocks, pendulum wall clocks, grandfather clocks, office clocks, and spring mechanism clocks, all bearing the Mauthe trademark.
3. Interestingly, the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden sectors are not the only spheres that showcase the Mauthe legacy; vintage Mauthe clocks like the buffet clock can be found among vintage collectibles.
4. Travelling to antique shops, flea markets, or online marketplaces, one can discover a variety of vintage clocks, including mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, and wall clocks—but finding a well-preserved Mauthe buffet clock is a rare find that underscores the importance of copyright protection in the world of antiques.

Read also: