Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.053 a

Creator:

Cole, James C. (1791-1867)Silversmith

Place of Origin:

Rochester, NH

Date:

circa 1830

Description:

Shelf Clock. Made by James C. Cole (1791-1867), Rochester, NH; c. 1830. Front: vertical, rectangular door having outer framework decorated on face with applied split balusters and applied projecting corner blocks. Baluster turnings of flattened ball, rudimentary vase and cylindrical types. Groups of turning alternately gilded and painted black. Front surface of door frame gilded. Front surface of corner blocks painted black. A stamped brass medallion applied to the front of each corner block. Top, bottom and sides of case painted black with rosewood graining. Two panels in glazed door--decorated glass above and mirror below. Mirror twice as high as upper panel. Circular reserve of clear glass at center of upper panel with gilt border and surrounding reverse stenciled design of small stylized floral motifs in green, red, and gold on a silver ground. Door fastened with brass hook. Round, painted iron dial, concave in form, beneath clear glass reserve in upper door panel. Roman hour numerals and steel hour and minute hands differing in design. Winding hole above and to right of center. "J.C. Cole / Rochester" in black script below center of dial. Eight day brass movement. Turnings probably birch. Remainder of wood white pine. Inside of case painted gray. Wooden guides in case for central drop of weight. Iron hanger. Separately stored parts: winding key, lead weight (rectangular), pendulum.

Material:

Wood
Hardwood
Pine
Brass
Iron
Glass

Dimensions:

H-29.875 W-14 D-5.25 inches

Provenance:

Clock with maker's mark of James C. Cole (1791-1867), Rochester, NH. Acquired by donor, Charles S. Parsons (1904-1988), from Frederick M. Selchow of Hopkinton, NH, who had replaced dial glass. Part of a large clock collection (and related materials) including not only clocks made in NH, but also several made elsewhere, acquired in NH, by the donor and probably used here.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Cole, James C. (1791-1867), Selchow, Frederick M. (1907-1987), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)

Subjects:

Manufacturing