Rodney Brace of North Bridgewater, Massachusetts. A mirror door shelf clock with a wooden geared 30-hour movement. 21283.
This popular case design features mahogany construction, carved columns, and a mirror panel in the door. The case is built on a larger scale. It measures 33.75 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 4.5 inches in depth.
This mantel clock is in fine condition. The front of the case is an access door. The lower panel features a mirror, which, at the time, was a desirable feature in a day when mirrors were considered a luxury and not taken for granted. The columns on the sides of the case are decorated with a simple carved design. At the top of the case is a shaped splat supported by plinths at both ends.
The wooden dial is nicely hand-painted. The gilt decorations are enhanced with a raised gesso base. The time is displayed on a closed minute ring with Roman-style hour numerals. Open diamond hands display the time.
The weight-driven movement is wooden-geared and designed to operate for 30 hours on a full wind. Two rectangular-shaped wooden plates support the steel pinions, wooden arbors, and wooden gearing. The strike train features a count-wheel system. It will strike each hour on a cast-iron bell mounted to the backboard inside the case.
The pasted label is very nicely detailed. It was printed by "S. BRADFORD, PRINTER, TAUNTON." The label features the E Pluribus Unum patriotic banner in the form of an American eagle, depicted with its wings outstretched, an American shield over its breast, and its claws clutching arrows and holly branches. Below is the company advertisement. "PATENT / CLOCKS, / MANUFACTURED AND SOLD / BY / RODNEY BRACE, / North-Bridgewater, Mass." on either side are the directions for setting up and operating the clock. This label is in very good original condition.
The case measures 33.5 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 4.5 inches in depth.
The clock was made circa 1835.
Inventory number 21283.
Rodney Brace was born in Torrington, Connecticut, on May 1, 1790. His parents were Arial Brace (1748-1816) and Deborah Hannah Loomis (1751-1839). Rodney was a framer who became interested in clockmaking. He received some training from one of the Norths, Norris or maybe Ethel. Sometime between April and August of 1831, Brace moved from Torrington to North-West Bridgewater, MA. Here, he concentrated on designing and manufacturing distinctive and exceptional cases for the clocks he sold.
Early examples of Rodney Brace's clocks were fitted with Torrington-style east-west movements. However, in about October 1832, Brace began using the very popular Terry-type 30-hour and 8-day wooden geared movements. His later clocks featured E. & G. W. Bartholomew and Riley Whiting movements. His cases were heavily influenced by the Empire period. They were distinctive, often constructed on a grander scale and featuring flat three-dimensional columns, showcasing Brace's innovative designs.
Brace worked with Isaac Packard in North-West Bridgewater. Packard (b. 1796; d. 4/8/1837) was also from Torrington and received some training from one of the Norths. It is thought that Packard made the Torrington-style east-west movements. Yet records exist where Brace ordered the movement of Erastus Hodges. The Brace -Packard partnership terminated on February 31, 1835, and Brace returned to farming.
North-West Bridgewater has become extinct. The region once known as North-West Bridgewater is now part of Brockton. This once flourishing industrial city was known as the Shoe City, a testament to the rich history of American craftsmanship and industry.
