Maintaining the Functionality of a Pequegnat Clock and its Mechanical Workings
The Pequegnat Canuck is a notable Canadian gingerbread-style mantel clock, produced by the Pequegnat Clock Company in Kitchener, Ontario, between 1903 and 1941. This antique timepiece, with its intricate wooden case and reliable mechanical movement, is a treasure for clock enthusiasts.
History
Founded by Theodore Pequegnat in 1904 in Berlin, Ontario (renamed Kitchener after 1916), the Pequegnat Clock Company was Canada's largest clock manufacturer. The company produced clocks using movements from the U.S. E. Ingraham Company, a prominent American clockmaker, and exported their products throughout Canada and parts of the U.S. The Canuck model, with its charming gingerbread-style design, was one of their most popular creations.
Features of the Pequegnat Canuck Gingerbread Clock
The "gingerbread" name refers to the ornately carved, wooden case resembling Victorian decorative motifs, often featuring intricate fretwork, scrolls, and ornamental details. The case is typically made of solid wood, such as oak or walnut, with a dark stain or finish. The dial usually features a painted metal dial with black Arabic numerals and sometimes decorative floral or geometric patterns.
The clock's 8-day mechanical pendulum movement is key-wound and uses the Ingraham-manufactured mechanism, known for its reliability. The clock features a single gong strike that strikes on the hour, and the glass protecting the dial is either clear or beveled.
Typical Servicing of a Pequegnat Canuck Clock
Proper care of a Pequegnat Canuck clock involves periodic cleaning, lubrication, pendulum calibration, and delicate handling of the decorative wood and dial. The movement should be disassembled and cleaned every 5-10 years, with ultrasonic cleaning of brass gears and components to remove old oil and dirt. After cleaning, the clock movement should be properly lubricated with clock oil on pivots and other moving parts.
The pendulum length and escapement may need fine adjustment for accurate timekeeping, while the wooden case can be cleaned with a mild wood cleaner and occasionally polished. Care should be taken not to damage decorative veneer or carvings. The glass and dial should be cleaned carefully, with the dial left mostly untouched unless extremely dirty, as refinishing can affect value.
Because the clock uses antique movement parts, servicing is often best done by a clockmaker familiar with early 1900s American clock movements.
Summary
The Pequegnat Canuck is a classic example of Canadian gingerbread clocks, blending American clock mechanisms with Canadian craftsmanship and design. Its ornate wooden case and reliable mechanical movement make it a collectible and functional antique mantel clock. Proper care involves periodic cleaning, lubrication, pendulum calibration, and delicate handling of the decorative wood and dial.
For those interested in collecting Pequegnat clocks, it's worth noting that the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario houses the best collection of these timepieces. If you have a specific clock that needs servicing, it's recommended to visit an experienced antique clock repair specialist to maintain its function and value.
- A lifestyle enthusiast might find joy in incorporating a vintage Pequegnat Canuck clock, with its fashionable gingerbread-style design, into their home décor, specifically the home-and-garden category.
- Travelers exploring Canada can add a unique stop to their itinerary by visiting the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, which showcases an extensive Pequegnat clock collection, reflecting the fusion of Canadian craftsmanship and American mechanisms in travel and history categories.
- Food-and-drink aficionados hosting a vintage-themed party could accentuate their event with Pequegnat Canuck clocks, as these clocks serve as a stylish mix of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden elements, making for an attractive conversation piece among fashion-conscious attendees.
