A bench made Grandmother clock, standing a mere 52.5 inches tall influences by Newport, Rhode Island design with a rocking ship automated dial. EEE-3.
This formal mahogany-cased clock features high-quality figured veneers laid out in a book-matched pattern. The selected graining provides multiple shades of browns, all enhanced by a modern finish. The cabinet is decorated with carved shells. The case is scaled down to approximately half the standard size, measuring 52.5 inches in height, 14 inches in width, and 8.5 inches in depth. This high-quality cabinet is nicely proportioned and stands on four ball-and-claw carved feet—these transition into a scrolled apron that hangs below the base. An applied molding separates the feet from the base. The pudding pattern mahogany veneer graining almost appears to be moving. A concave carved patera decorates the center of this panel. The waist section is narrow. Smoothly turned, wooden stop-fluted quarter columns are recessed into its front corners. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The rectangular-shaped wist door is hinged and locks closed with a key that is inserted in the opening in the brass escutcheon. This door is decorated with half-shell carvings positioned at the ends of a hollowed-out section. The molded arched hood molding is fitted with three rectangular-shaped chimneys, each fluted with five parallel lines and capped at the top, supporting a carved wooden urn finial. The chimneys also support the whale's tail fretwork pattern. Fluted and reeded colonnettes terminating in brass capitals and bases flank the arched and glazed door. This door opens to access the dial.
This composite brass dial is wonderfully detailed. It measures 6.5 inches across and is composed of a brass sheet decorated with applied brass decorations and skillfully executed engravings. It also features a very desirable automated rocking ship display in the arch. This unique feature, a fully rigged ship that is colorfully painted and depicted sailing across the water, moves or gently rocks from side to side with the pendulum's motion. The applied brass spandrels the cherub's heads and wing form. The silvered time ring is applied to the dial sheet. It is formatted with Arabic-style five-minute makers. The closed minute ring separates them from the Roman-style hour numerals. Traditionally shaped steel hands display the time.
The two-train weight-powered movement is brass, of eight-day duration, and is of good quality. Four-turned pillars or posts support the two large, rectangular, solid brass plates. They support the hardened-steel shafts, polished-steel pinions, and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved to accept the weight cord in an orderly fashion. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. It is a two-train, time-and-strike design with a rack-and-sail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This clock, a product of fine craftsmanship, was made circa 1925, a time when such intricate pieces were highly valued and sought after.
Inventory number EEE-3.
