Type of clock: Mantel clock Clock maker: Seth Thomas Location: Nicholson House 201 Catalogue number: No Historic Property number visible Height: 29 3/4 in. Width: 16 1/2 in. Depth: 4 3/4 in. Country: Plymouth, Connecticut Date: 1830-1870 Marks: Seth Thomas
Views and Details: Clock Low Resolution Medium Resolution High Resolution Interior Low Resolution Medium Resolution High Resolution Mantel Painting Low Resolution Medium Resolution High Resolution Mantel Painting, Reverse Low Resolution Medium Resolution High Resolution Eagle and Shield Low Resolution Medium Resolution High Resolution
Description: Made with solid wood and veneers, this Seth Thomas shelf clock with an eagle-shaped pediment contains a 31-day movement with hour and half-hour strike. The "scroll dial, painted with white and gold Arabic numerals that are rotated in space according to their directions, as opposed to the usual straight and upright posture. Smaller rings mark the minute gradations and colorful vines and fruits fill the four corners. The works are concealed behind a reverse glass painting depicting Brown University from Waterman and Prospect Streets. The flanking pilasters are painted black with bronze stenciled decoration on hairy paw feet in the front. Provenance: No donor's plaque visible. Clockmaker biography: Seth Thomas, born on August 18, 1785 in Greystone, Plymouth, Conn. son of James and Martha Thomas, died January 29, 1859. He had learnt cabinet making in ca. 1818 and was licensed to manufacture some 4,000 clocks for Eli Terry, whose sons were still too young to enter the business then (1817 to 1823). Terry and Thomas were joined by Silas Hoadley and they made wooden 30-hour movements, tall clock cases, and was called Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. After Terry sold his share in 1809, Thomas & Hoadley continued successfully until 1813, when Thomas sold his interest and moved to Plymouth Hollow where he started Seth Thomas Clock Co., which employed more the 900 people in 1853. Seth Thomas eventually adapted the design to his advantage with an off-center pendulum which differed significantly with the patent. [1] Plymouth Hollow was named "Thomaston" in 1866 in his honor. [2] The Pillar and Scroll clocks using wooden movement were successful until 1838, when the 30-hour brass movement was adopted. By ca. 1850, almost all clock weights had been replaced by springs. References: [1] Zea, Philip and Cheney, Robert. Clock Making in New England 1725-1825. Old Sturbridge Inc. 1992, p. 127. [2] Palmer, Brooks. The Book of American Clocks. The Macmillan Company. New York, 1959.