Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.093

Place of Origin:

Connecticut (probably)

Date:

circa 1850

Description:

Shelf Clock. Materials: iron; mother-of-pearl; brass; zinc (dial); white pine. Cast-iron framed clock with painted and inlaid mother-of-pearl decoration. Flat cast-iron facade, with scrolled and scalloped outline, which is screwed at the center back to a rectangular wooden case with bracket rear feet. Circular glass door near top of facade enclosing dial. Smaller circular glass door below. Both have brass bezels and catches. Decoration consists of large floral arrangement below dial partly inlaid and partly painted in orange, green and gold; smaller painted floral design above dial; scrolled gilt borders with tendrils; and inlaid pearl edge on upper half of front, all against painted black ground. Two winding holes in iron just below dial.
Round painted zinc dial with molded edge. Roman hour numerals and pierced steel hour and minute hands matching in design. Eight-day brass movement with strike.
Entire visible surface of wooden case painted black. Probably made of white pine. Illegible pencil inscription on back. Separately stored parts: Pendulum bob, winding key, replaced hands.

Material:

Metal
Iron
Skeletal
Mother-of-Pearl
Glass
Brass
Iron
Zinc

Dimensions:

H-18.5 W-12.25 D-3 inches

Provenance:

Part of a large clock collection (and related materials) including not only clocks made in N.H., but also several made elsewhere, acquired in N.H. 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:

Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)