Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.082

Creator:

Welch, Elisha N.Clockmaker

Place of Origin:

Forestville CT

Date:

circa 1885

Description:

Shelf Clock in the Renaissance Revival style in Welch's "Lucca" pattern. Materials: rosewood, mahogany and unidentified wood; glass; zinc (dial); brass; secondary wood white pine. Rectangular case with canted front corners, central pediment and molded base. Cornice breaks out at front corners at an angle corresponding to that of canted edges. Cornice extends along sides and along top of pediment. Three turned wooden finials. Turned drop beneath cornice projections at front corners. Applied turned ornaments on canted surfaces. Frieze at front has ogee arched lower edge. Arched door with arched glass panel. Lower portion of panel decorated with reverse transfer-printed gilt border forming a rectangular panel with incurved top. Curve of top corresponds to that of lower edge of circular dial. Steel catch on door with black composition knob. Glass sidelights extending almost entire height of case body.
Circular painted zinc dial beneath glass panel above gilt decoration section. Dial has brass rims at inner and outer edges. Roman hour numerals; pierced steel hour and minute hands matching in design; two winding holes, with brass grommets, below center of dial; brass alarm dial. Eight-day brass movement with strike and alarm. Impressed mark on front of plate: "E.N.WELCH MFG. Co_ / FORESTVILLE,CONN. / U.S.A.".
Cornice and finials of unidentified wood and door of mahogany all grained to resemble rosewood. Remainder of case veneered with rosewood. Molding surrounding sidelights is gilded. Printed paper label on outer surface of backboard, with gilt lettering on black ground: "EIGHT-DAY / LUCCA / MANUFACTURED BY / E. N. WELCH MFG ___ / FORESTVILLE, CONN., U__". Two corners of label torn. Several pencil inscriptions on backboard giving names and dates re. cleaning and/or repairs from 1888-1918. Inside of backboard covered with black flocked paper. Inside of bottom board painted black. Top painted black.
Separately stored parts: two winding keys, elaborate brass pendulum (note that pendulum stored in clock as of 7/2006 cataloging).

Material:

Wood
Rosewood
Glass
Metal
Brass
Zinc

Dimensions:

H-23.25 W-15 D-6.625 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by E. N. Welch Mfg. Col, Forestville, Connecticut.
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 (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:

Welch, Elisha N. (1809-1887), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)