The Danish island of Bornholm is situated in the Baltic, south of Sweden. Clockmaking is said to have begun there about 1750 when a cargo of English longcase clocks on its way to Russia was wrecked on the island. The inhabitants salvaged them and began making similar clocks of their own. By 1773 Copenhagen clockmakers were complaining about the number of Bornholm clocks on the market. Bornholm clocks may be roughly divided into three groups: painted cases with floral decorations in imitation of Chinese lacquer (1750-1800); Empire style, with decoration of garlands, laurel wreaths, etc. (1800-1830); round topped cases. The industry had died out by about 1890 as a result of Black Forest, French and American competition.