Rounded Rectangular Porcelain Desk and Mantel Clock - White

This porcelain mantel clock keeps things simple: a soft rectangle with gently rounded corners, a glossy white finish and a clean face that tells the time at a glance. Four black dots mark twelve, three, six and nine, the slim white hands turn from a small blue centre cap, and there are no numerals to clutter the dial. It stands 12.5cm tall, 9.5cm wide and 4cm deep, a compact size that sits comfortably on a narrow ledge without crowding it. The face is set into a shallow, softly moulded recess, so the white body frames it like a cushion.

Because it stands on its own, it needs no wall and no fixing, so you can move it wherever you need the time. It is at home on a mantelpiece, as its name suggests, but its small footprint suits a bedside table, a desk, a dressing table or a bookshelf. The plain white works in a bright, modern room and looks calm against wood, painted shelving or a busy row of books and frames. In a home office it gives you the time without picking up a phone, and by the bed its uncluttered face is easy to read first thing in the morning.

The clock runs on one AA battery, an easy size to find and change. The porcelain body has a smooth, glossy surface that needs very little looking after: dust it with a soft dry cloth, and if it picks up a mark, wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it straight away. Handle it with the care you would give any porcelain piece, as a knock onto a hard floor can chip it. We like it beside a small plant or a stack of paperbacks, where the white stands out cleanly, or on a dark shelf so the black markers and blue centre catch the eye. It also wraps neatly as a present.

How big is this mantel clock?

It stands 12.5cm tall, 9.5cm wide and 4cm deep. That makes it compact enough for a bedside table, a desk or a narrow shelf.

What battery does the clock take?

It runs on one AA battery. That is a common size that is easy to find and quick to change when it runs down.

Does it need to be fixed to a wall?

No. It is a freestanding clock that stands on a mantelpiece, shelf, desk or bedside table, so it needs no wall fixing at all.

What is the clock made of?

The body is porcelain with a smooth, glossy white finish. The face has four black dot markers, white hands and a small blue centre cap.

Does the face have numbers on it?

No. The face has no numerals. Four black dots mark twelve, three, six and nine, which keeps the white dial clean and easy to read.

How should I clean the porcelain clock?

Dust it with a soft dry cloth. Wipe away any marks with a damp cloth, dry it straight afterwards, and keep water well away from the battery.