Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.023

Creator:

New Haven Clock CompanyClockmaker

Place of Origin:

New Haven, CT

Date:

circa 1908

Description:

Shelf Clock. Made by the New Haven Clock Company, New Haven, CT. "Mission" style. Materials: oak; tulip poplar (dial); brass; secondary wood white pine. Basically rectilinear case with flared cornice. Glazed rectangular door with rectilinear wooden latticework over lower third of glass panel. Flanking door are separate side pieces integral with front feet and projecting beyond sides of case. These jigsaw-cut side pieces have flat outer edges flaring outward toward bottom; each front food extends laterally 1.5" beyond actual sides of case. Rear feet are extensions of projecting stiles. Lower edge of ends asymmetrically arched. Horizontal brace, with curved lower edge, extending across bottom of front and nailed at ends to fronts of side pieces. Door attached with simulated H-hinges and secured with external bar catch. Hardware of bronzed metal.
Square wooden dial, painted black, with applied brass arabic hour numerals. Brass hour and minute hands differing in design. Two winding holes below center of dial. Eight-day brass movement with strike. Impressed mark on front plate: "NEW HAVEN / TRADE MARK" in circular mark surrounding 6-pointed star; "U.S.A." below.
Entire surface of case, inside and outside, painted dark gray. Paint worn in some areas. Dial and backboard probably tulip poplar. Evidence on outer surface of backboard of former paper label. Pencil inscriptions on back, reading in part: "Sold Dec. 22-08 / Varick (?)" and "$3.75", together with additional figures.
Separately stored parts: winding key, pendulum bob, screw, another set of hands.

Material:

Wood
Oak
Metal
Glass
Brass

Dimensions:

H-13.75 W-12 D-5.5 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by the New Haven Clock Co., New Haven, Connecticut. The name "Varick" appears on the back, along with price and date sold. Clock is 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 (Charles S. Parsons, 1904-1988) and probably used here. However, no information about New Hampshire acquisition or use provided with regard to this clock.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Varick, Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)