Clock, Shelf

Object Name:

Clock, Shelf

Object ID:

1915.010

Creator:

Chelsea Clock CompanyManufacturer; Gorham Manufacturing CompanyManufacturer; Bigelow, Kennard & CompanyJeweler

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA/New York, NY

Date:

circa 1914

Description:

Shelf Clock. Cast bronze clock with molded base and high arched center flanked by low, horizontal consoles. Bronze dial, set inside arch at top, with matt surface produced by stippling. Both Arabic hour numerals and minute gradations at outer edge of chapter ring executed in relief with polished front surfaces. Pierced brass hour and minute hands differing slightly in design. Two winding holes below center of dial and a regulation aperture above. Remaining front, top, and side surfaces of clock almost entirely covered with enriched moldings and bands of bead and reel, egg and dart, bound laurel and leaf designs, etc. Head and wings of angel at top of arch under projecting shell motif. A rosette at center of each console volute. Scrolled foliage below dial. Pierced, circular bronze cover with bezel that fits into circular opening at back of arched center and has stylized floral and geometric designs against green silk backing. Eight-day brass movement with strike. Impressed mark on back plate: "CHELSEA CLOCK CO. / BOSTON, U.S.A.", above which is scratched figure "4133N". Impressed founder's mark on reverse at lower left of clock: "GORHAM CO. FOUNDERS". Typed paper label on back reading: "DONOR EDWARD TUCK / DATE JAN. 28, 1915". Clock has felt-covered wooden bottom. Dial door missing; one leaf of hinge remaining.

Material:

Metal
Bronze
Wood

Dimensions:

H-13.1 W-37.9 D-5.9 inches

Provenance:

Apparently the "Special Bronze Clock" for which Bigelow, Kennard & Co. of Boston, MA, billed the NHHS Sept. 30, 1914. Given for use in the reading room. Design probably either created or chosen by Guy Lowell, architect of the NHHS building.

Credit Line:

Gift of Edward Tuck

People:

Tuck, Edward (1842-1938), Lowell, Guy (1870-1927)