Thank you all for your comments and history lesson. Much appreciated.
Dec 11, 2011 Rating
locking the door - - - by: Andrew
When Grandfather and other clocks were new, they were expensive status symbols, the people who owned them often had servants or staff.
The owner of the house/clock often saw it as his job to wind up the clock, no-one else was allowed to even touch it - - - Hence the lock on the door !
Some grandfather clocks also have a wooden arm inside the case, which locks the hood glass door from inside too, so both doors locked for the price of one lock - - -
The tea-caddies or boxes of the time were also locked, tea was so expensive the staff were watched carefully to ensure they did not help themselves !
Regards,
Andrew.
http://www.clockmakersandrepairs.co.uk
Dec 10, 2011 Rating
Safety for the user and the clock? by: Anonymous
To keep idle hands from damaging the works or even worse possibly tipping the clock over!