Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1972.089.047

Creator:

Dutton, David (1792-1882)Clockmaker

Place of Origin:

Mont Vernon, NH

Date:

circa 1840

Description:

Shelf Clock. Made by David Dutton (1792-1882), Mont Vernon, NH; c. 1840. Materials: mahogany and maple; tulip poplar (dial); secondary woods; white pine and assorted hardwoods (movement). Vertically oriented rectangular door with two glazed panels--clear glass above and mirror below. Upper panel 9.75" high, lower panel 13.75". Case with flat base and cornice, having scrolled gallery at front and sides; plinths at ends of front gallery. Door flanked by angular pilasters triangular in cross-section and extending between applied corner blacks. Door secured with iron latch having stamped brass escutcheon. Square, painted wooden dial, beneath upper glass panel, with roman hour numerals, brass alarm dial at center, and pierced steel hour and minute hands matching in design. Painted gilt decoration, partly in relief, including wreath surrounding center of dial and spandrel decorations composed of teardrop-shaped elements. Three winding holes with brass grommets. Terry-type, thirty-hour wooden movement with alarm and strike. Gallery at front and triangular pilasters figured maple. Remainder of case veneered with mahogany. Dial probably tulip poplar. Several nail holes in backboard. Large printed label glued to inner surface of lower backboard reading in part: "Improved / Clocks, / Manufactured and Sold / By / David Dutton / Mont Vernon, N.H." Printed by "Gazette Press--Nashua". Mirror backed with wood, on inner surface of which is glued a hand-colored lithograph with title and publication information printed in lower margin: "The Dying Mother. / Lith. of D.W. Kellogg & Co. Hartford. Ct." Bell and weight sheaves projecting through top of clock. Remains of wallpaper on back. Separately stored parts: pendulum bob, winding key, three cast iron weights (cylindrical) (see Notes field regarding change in status of clock weights).

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Maple
Poplar
Pine
Brass
Iron
Glass

Dimensions:

H-31.625 W-16.5 D-5 inches

Provenance:

Clock with manufacturer's label of David Dutton, Mont Vernon, NH. Acquired by donor in l953 from Pioneer Antiques, Tyngsboro, MA.
Part of a large clock collection (and related materials) including not only clocks made in NH, but also several made elsewhere, acquired in NH by the donor, Charles S. Parsons (1904-1988), and probably used here.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Dutton, David (1792-1882), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)

Subjects:

Manufacturing