Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.074

Place of Origin:

New Haven, CT

Date:

circa 1865

Description:

Shelf Clock. Materials: mahogany; zinc (dial); brass (movement); glass; secondary woods white pine and sycamore. Vertically oriented rectangular door with two glazed panels -- clear glass above and decorated panel below. Panels equal in height. Case with cornice and base both ogee molded. Door flanked by recessed, applied split balusters, with turnings of vase, ring and cylindrical types. Lower glass panel decorated with a reverse transfer-printed and painted design including central rosette in red, blue and gold on clear glass ground within circular gilt border surrounded by a gilt band of strapwork and foliate design, on a blue ground. Steel catch on door with pewter knob.
Square painted zinc dial, beneath upper glass panel. Painted floral sprays, in pink with green foliage, within spandrels. Opening at center of dial has scalloped outline. Roman hour numerals; pierced steel hour and minute hands matching in design; two winding holes below enter of dial. Thirty-hour brass movement with strike.
Balusters mahogany. Remainder of visible surface of case veneered with mahogany. Large printed label glued to inner surface of lower backboard, reading in part: "AMERICAN / EXTRA ___ / CLOCKS, / MANUFACTURED BY, / NEW HAVEN CLOCK CO., / NEW HAVE, CONN. / THIRTY HOUR.", view of "CLOCK MANUFACTORY" above. Illegible pencil inscriptions on backboard. Four nail holes in backboard. Top of case painted black. Weight sheaves projecting through top of case.
Separately stored parts: winding key.

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Glass
Brass
Zinc

Dimensions:

H-24.25 W-15.5 D-4.625 inches

Provenance:

Acquired by donor -- Charles S. Parsons (1904-1988) -- in 1953 in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire.
Part of a large clock collection (and related materials) including not only clocks made in N.H., but also several made elsewhere, acquired in N.H. by the donor and probably used here.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)