GF-1.               $250

Jacob Buerkle weight-driven shelf clock, 1837-1839.  Buerkle made brass shelf clocks with rack and snail strikes, as found here, in Pittsburgh PA.  The mahogany-veneered case is 36.25 inches tall with an old, dark finish and plenty of patina.  The dial glass is old and possibly original, the centerpiece mirror is missing (but remnants of a mirror remain), and the lower door panel has a partial split down the middle and some missing veneer on the base.  The zinc dial is colorful and the flowers above the mainstem embellish a cutout in the dial; it is signed Pittsburgh.  There are thick carved brass hands that are likely original.  I see no die-stamps on the brass plate dial, with a rack strike on the overhead bell.  The bell attachment needs work; the whole clock needs work.  There is no pendulum rod, which hangs behind the movement.  There are pulleys for the top of the case but they are not in place; there are two 12-lb cast iron weights, and a small pendulum bob.  No label anywhere.  This is a restoration project, for sure, but it is an impressive clock.  My consignor says it was owned by a Mayor of Pittsburgh.  Cottone’s sold a very similar example from the Lindy & Karen Larson collection in 2007 for $8,690; there is a slightly better example in the NAWCC Clock & Watch Museum (see photos below).  $500–$2500.