Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.004

Creator:

Terry, Samuel (1774-1853)

Place of Origin:

Bristol, CT

Date:

circa 1830

Description:

Shelf Clock. Made by Samuel Terry (1774-1853), Bristol, CT. "Pillar and scroll type." 30-hour wooden movement, strike, and 2 weights. Mahogany and figured mahogany veneer; unidentified secondary wood. Dovetail construction, with panel construction door; and extensive use of glue blocks. Scroll pediment, with capped corner and center plinths, each with brass (replacement) cup-and-spire finials. Front door attached to case with bracket hinges on top and bottom. Door is glazed and veneered with mahogany, has square opening above for the clock face, and smaller rectangular opening for reverse painted glass (glazing appears to be original). Decoration on lower glass is a stencilled fruit basket, in shades of gold and black, a floral border decoration. Free-standing columns on either side of door; plain turned mahogany columns, with wooden capitals and bases. Diamond-shaped brass escutcheon; steel lock. Clock face is a painted square wooden panel, with painted roman numerals, iron hour and minute hands with circular embellishment, and gilded cornucopia-shaped designs in spandrels. Two winding holes with brass grommets.
Printed paper label on interior: "PATENT / CLOCKS, / MADE AND SOLD BY / SAMUEL TERRY, / BRISTOL, CON. / WARRANTED, IF WELL USED. / N. B. The public may be assured, that this kind of Clock will run as long without repairs, and be as durable / and accurate for keeping time, as any kind of Clock whatever." Slender bracket feet, and serpentine skirt. Pulleys extend above the case and have brass caps. Various patches on the back of the case, including: a wallpaper patch, a sheet of zinc, and several newspaper patches. Also a wooden peg extends through a hole in the top of the case, function undetermined. Inside the clock case is a bob with brass front and lead back, a winding key of brass and steel, a case key, and a small wooden dowel (function undetermined).

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Glass
Metal

Dimensions:

H-30.5 W-16.625 D-4.375 inches

Provenance:

Clock marked with maker's label from Samuel Terry (1774-1854), Bristol, Connecticut.
Clock acquired by donor, Charles S. Parsons (1904-1988), in July, 1959. Part of a large clock (and related materials) collection including not only clocks made in New Hampshire, but also several made elsewhere, acquired in New Hampshire by the donor and probably used here.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Terry, Samuel (1774-1853), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)