Description:
Empire shelf clock in mahogany and white pine by George Marsh of Bristol, Connecticut. In 1828, Marsh and his brother-in-law, William L. Gilbert (1807-1890), purchased a clock shop where they manufactured 30 hour and 8 day wood clocks from 1828-1831. No clocks known by firm name "Marsh and Gilbert" at Bristol, so all were probably labelled "George Marsh." The clock has a one-day wooden movement powered by cast weights, the common movement used in Connecticut clocks before rolled and stamped brass shelf clock mechanisms were developed around 1838. The company went through various partnerships to become the Gilbert Clock Company. The clock was owned by Henry Flynt's father, George Converse Flynt who was a clock collector with his brother L. C. Flynt. The clock case is topped with a carved eagle and two pineapple finials over elaborately carved front columns with acanthus leaves, front paw feet, and small rear ball feet. The front door has two sections: a glass panel covers the dial, which has roman numerals and is surrounded by painted pink and green flowers and gilded decoration; and the lower painted glass panel has a Mount Vernon-like scene with a large center "sun," all surrounded by elaborate scrolled decoration.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+0867.2 |
