This is considered to be a very rare Connecticut wall clock. It is a large octagon form that is veneered in rosewood and rimmed with gold leaf. This example retains it’s original pasted label located on the inside of the backboard. This label is in good condition and reads, “Atkins Clock Mf’g Co., Bristol, Conn." This firm was established in October of 1855 to succeed the Atkins, Whiting & Company. This company built a number of clocks using Ives patent movements until they were forbidden to do so by Ives in June 1858. This firm went bankrupt in June of 1858.

This is an impressive wall of gallery clock. It is listed in the Atkins Clock Catalog of 1873 as the “Octagon.” The case is rosewood and retains an older finish. This example retains it’s original gilt sash. A similar model was offered with a ripple molding. The case size impressive. It measures 26 inches across and features an 18 inch dial. This dial is original to the clock and is in very good condition. The numerals have been strengthened. This clock features an unusual movement. It is power by a large leaf spring that is held or supported by a large cast iron bracket. This cast iron bracket was necessary to prevent the case from breaking apart under the pressure of a fully wound movement. The bracket or the heavy cast iron frame is decoratively scrolled and had to have been a major contributing factor to the cost of producing this clock. This movement is a combination of brass gearing and steel pinions. The plates have been skelatonized. The leaf spring is composed of eight leaves. When fully wound, this clock is designed to run 30 days. This example was made circa 1857.

One can see from the pictures that the beauty of this clock is in the design of the movement. One can also assume that this movement was much more expensive to build as compared to a more common Connecticut format.

Merritt W. Atkins was born in 1804 and died in 1873 at the age of 69. He worked in both Bristol and later Forestville, Connecticut. He was a manufacturer of brass movement clocks and was involved in several firms. Most notably would be the firm of Atkins and Porter . His firm M. W. Atkins spanned the years 1840-1857.