This is a wonderful transitional shelf clock with pasted made by Ephraim Downes for George Mitchell of Bristol, Connecticut circa 1825.

Ephraim Downes was born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts Dec. 20, 1787. He was the son of David and Mary Chittendon Downes. He married Chloe Painter in 1822 and became the brother in law of Silas Hoadley and Butler Dunbar. Both of whom where in the clock business. Ephraim spent the period of 1825 through 1845 in Bristol with George Mitchell. Here they made tall clock movements, Pillar & Scroll cases and many wood movement shelf clocks. In 1842 he retired due to poor health and died in 1860.

This transitional shelf clock has a traditional thirty hour time & strike wooden works movement. The original pasted label remains on the backboard. It is in fair original condition. The wooden dial is decorated with raised gesso and gilt designs. The time ring is formatted with Roman numerals. Nicely turned columns that feature stencil decoration flank the sides of the case. The upper splat is also stenciled and features an American eagle with its wings outstretched. It sits atop the world. Cannons and other weapons are also depicted in this location. All of this stencil design appears to be in wonderful original condition. The reverse painted tablet is in excellent original condition and is original to this clock. The scene depicts a large building that sits on top of a hill. The boarder does has some small areas of loss. This clock stands on its original carved paw feet. It stands 28.5 inches tall and was made circa 1830.