Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.011

Creator:

Ansonia Clock Company

Place of Origin:

Ansonia, CT

Date:

1863-1878

Description:

Shelf Clock. Miniature "ogee" type. Materials: mahogany; zinc (dial); brass (movement); glass; secondary wood white pine. Vertically oriented rectangular door with two glazed panels -- clear glass above and decorated glass below. Lower panel slightly greater in height. Front of case, surrounding door, molded in shallow ogee curve with a slightly convex molding along all four outer edges. Door has concave molded stiles and rails and fastens with a brass and iron catch. Reverse transfer-printed and painted decoration in lower glass panel; floral design in pink, orange and blue with green foliage on a brown ground.
Square painted zinc dial, having slightly raised chapter ring, beneath upper glass panel. Opening at center of dial has scalloped outline. Roman hour numerals; pierced steel hour and minute hands matching in design; two winding holes slightly below center of dial, one having brass grommet; brass alarm dial. A painted floral spray in pink, with green foliage, in each spandrel. Impressed mark on reverse of dial: "Patd. Dec.1.63." Thirty hour brass movement with strike and alarm.
Visible surface of case veneered with mahogany. Two nail holes in backboard. Large printed label glued to inner surface of lower backboard, reading in part: "MADE BY / [ANSONIA] CLOCK CO., ANSONIA, CONN.". Pencil inscription on outer surface of backboard: "F. P. Wentworth." Several additional pencil inscriptions on backboard and on inner surface of door framework giving names and dates re. cleaning and/or repairs between 1878 and 1904.
Separately stored parts: pendulum bob, winding key marked "Ansonia Clock Co.".

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Glass
Metal

Dimensions:

H-18.626 W-11.625 D-4 inches

Provenance:

Clock believed to have been made by the Ansonia Clock Co., Ansonia, CT (see notes field). 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)