Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.016

Creator:

Ansonia Clock CompanyClockmaker; Ham, Francis W. (1828-1905)Retailer

Place of Origin:

Ansonia, CT

Date:

1851-1878

Description:

Shelf Clock. "Beehive" or "Round Gothic" type. Materials:mahogany; zinc (dial); brass (movement); glass; secondary wood white pine. 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 and painted design showing purple fruit on a section of brown branch or vine with green foliage on a black ground. Door secured with iron catch having pewter knob. Round painted zinc dial having slightly raised chapter ring. Roman hour numerals; steel hour and minute hands matching in design, two winding holes at bottom of dial. Eight-day brass movement with strike. Entire visible surface of case veneered with mahogany. Large printed label glued to inner surface of lower backboard, reading in part: "MADE BY / ANSONIA CLOCK CO., ANSONIA, CONN.". Two identical overpasted printed labels, of postage-stamp size, reading: "FRANCIS W. HAM / WATCHES / AND / JEWELRY / 33 CONGRESS ST. / PORTSMOUTH, N.H.". Illegible pencil inscription on back of case. Small screw hole at bottom of backboard. Separately stored parts: pendulum bob, winding key.

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Glass
Metal
Brass
Zinc

Dimensions:

H-18.625 W-11.5 D-4.5 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by Ansonia Clock Co. Ansonia, CT. Clock has label of Francis W. Ham, Portsmouth, NH, on the inside; Ham probably cleaned and/or repaired the clock.
This clock was acquired by donor in 1955 at Ye Olde Country Store, Milford, NH. It 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:

Ham, Francis W. (1828-1905), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)