Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.015

Creator:

Ansonia Clock CompanyManufacturer

Place of Origin:

Ansonia, CT

Date:

1863-1878

Description:

Shelf Clock. Manufactured by the Ansonia Clock Company, Ansonia, CT; 1863-1878. "Beehive" type. Plain base. Sides curving in to join at top, forming a Gothic arch. Front of arch convex-molded at outer edge. Dial attached to recessed wooden framework within top of arch. A single door contains both circular dial glass above and rectangular glass panel below. Both dial bezel and lower door frame are convex-molded. Lower glass panel decorated with a reverse transfer-printed scene in gold on clear ground. Two-story dwelling with numerous projections and surrounded with tall trees pictured within circular border; elaborate cartouche designs in spandrels. Door secured with a brass and iron catch. Round painted zinc dial having slightly raised chapter ring and scalloped edge at central opening. Roman hour numerals; pierced, steel hour and minute hands matching in design; two winding holes at bottom of dial; brass alarm dial. Eight-day brass movement with strike and alarm. Impressed mark on back of dial: "Patd Dec 1 63."
Entire visible surface of case veneered with rosewood. Large printed label glued to inner surface of lower backboard, reading in part: "MADE BY / ANSON[IA] [C]LOCK CO., ANSONIA, CONN.". Pencil inscription at upper right of label reading: "July 8th 1898 / L [orS]. W. Greene".
Separately stored parts: pendulum bob, winding key.

Material:

Wood
Rosewood
Glass
Metal

Dimensions:

H-18.625 W-10.625 D-4.125 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by Ansonia Clock Co. Ansonia, CT. Clock has name S. W. Greene 1898 pencilled on the inside; Greene (who remains unidentified) was probably someone who cleaned and/or repaired this clock. This clock was acquired by donor in 1953 from a house, built c. 1820, in Plymouth, NH. The 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.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988), Greene, Sylvester W. (1820- )

Subjects:

Manufacturing