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‘Lilac Mandtler’

Mandtler Clock, 1870 (MC0220)

This clock has a green dial that is typical of Mandtler clocks. Mennonite clocks did not follow a linear progression from simple to more complex. Mennonite clockmakers continued to make one-handed clocks not because they weren't able to make more complex clocks, but because simpler clocks were more affordable. In a society where industrialisation was just getting underway in 1870, knowing the exact minute of the day was not crucial.

History

Donated to Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, by Susie Hiebert in 1971.

Arthur Kroeger cleaned and repaired this clock in June 1990. He cleaned, polished, and adjusted the movement; repainted the gearbox; enhanced the oval miniature in the arched dial ‘ever so slightly’ to make it recognisable; and provided a new rope drive.

 

  • Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, made by Gerhard Mandtler (1821–1904) in Lindenau, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1870. Arched dial is green with a single dark border around the perimeter and across the arch. Arch has a hand-painted yellow scroll decoration surrounding an oval miniature of a woman picking flowers. The initials ‘A. F.’ are painted on either side of the miniature, and the year 1870 is painted on either side of the arch. Spandrels are small round miniatures of flowers surrounded by yellow scrolls, all hand-painted. Black chapter ring with yellow Roman numerals is surrounded by a yellow border inside and out. Inside chapter ring is a white ring with divisions to mark the minutes. Inside this are two hand-painted oval miniatures of lilacs surrounded by yellow scroll decoration on either side of the hand. One hand; rope drive; two weights.

  • Mennonite Clock Number MC0220

  • Object Name Mandtler Clock

  • Mennonite Heritage Village Accession Number 1971.1.1

  • Date Created 1870

  • Maker Gerhard Mandtler (1821–1904)

  • Location Made Lindenau, Molotschna Colony, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)

  • Other Markings G. Mandler [sic] 1870 (etched on hour wheel); G.M. (stamped on back of dial)

  • Movement Type Iron plate

  • Owner Mennonite Heritage Village

  • Publications Arthur Kroeger, Kroeger Clocks (Steinbach, MB: Mennonite Heritage Village, 2012), pp. 95–99.

 
‘G. Mandler’ is etched on hour wheel.

‘G. Mandler’ is etched on hour wheel.

G.M. stamped on back of dial denotes the maker, Gerhard Mandtler.