Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.020

Creator:

Seth Thomas Clock CompanyClockmaker

Place of Origin:

Thomaston, CT

Date:

circa 1895

Description:

Shelf Clock. "Cottage" type. Materials: oak; glass; brass (movement); zinc (dial); secondary woods white pine and unidentified. Rectangular case with base having rounded upper edge. Base is 1.25" wider and .375" deeper than body of case. Vertically oriented rectangular door with two glazed panels -- clear glass above and decorated glass below. Convex molding on front surrounding door along side and top edges. Upper glass panel three times higher than lower panel. Lower panel decorated on reverse with floral decal in shades of pin and blue with green foliage on a white ground. Door secured with an iron catch having a pewter knob.
Square painted zinc dial with slightly convex chapter ring, beneath upper glass panel. Roman hour numerals; steel hour and minute hands differing in design, of "S" and "T" forms; two winding holes, one at right of center and the other below and to left of center and adjoining center opening; brass alarm dial. Penciled figures, partially legible on back of dial. Thirty-hour brass alarm movement. Impressed marks on front plate: "S. THOMAS / PLYMOUTH CONN / USA" and "3 7/8".
All visible surfaces of case veneered with oak. Quarter-round molding surrounding each glass panel gilded. Inner surface of sides, top and door painted yellow. Printed paper label glued to inner surface of lower backboard, reading: "SETH THOMAS, / THOMASTON, / CONNECTICUT. / WARRANTED GOOD.". Figure "204" written in pencil twice on inside of case. Illegible pencil inscription at top of backboard.
Separately stored parts: pendulum bob, winding key.

Material:

Wood
Oak
Glass
Metal
Brass
Zinc

Dimensions:

H-9.25 W-7.25 D-3.625 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by the Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, CT. 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:

Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)