38.                   $500

Ansonia Clock Co./Jerger “Reflector”, ca. 1883.  The mystery of who made/marketed this clock is finally solved, thanks to Colleen Houtz. It is clearly an early Ansonia “Reflector”, but the “J.” in the circled diamond on the paper dial and movement has been a puzzle. I initially thought it might be Junghans, but it was not a known Junghans logo.  Others thought the J represented a Japanese maker.  In fact, it is the mark of a German manufacturer in the late 1800’s, Wilhelm Jerger in Niedereschach.  He was in business from 1866 to 1914.  Both the dial and movement are stamped with this logo, but the brass, 8-day, time-and-strike movement looks like an Ansonia movement.  It is unclear how much of this clock was made by Jerger, or if he simply purchased the case and movement and marketed the clock under his name.  For a reference see https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/help-identifying-shelf-clock.92286/. This is an early Reflector, as later versions advertised beveled mirrors and gilt-embossed ornamental plates at the top and bottom. The design on this glass is as shown in the 1883 catalog, as are the gilt stencils on the top panel and bottom curved panels (and middle drawer to store the winding key).  The 33.5-inch case appears to be mahogany, but we commonly see it in an ebony finish. Everything here looks original, including the well-preserved stenciled glass, the mirrors, the gilt stenciling and the many wooden ornaments; even the bright pendulum bob is of age.  The Vienna-style beat scale has been broken and repaired.  The 8-day, time-and-strike movement is running and striking on a cathedral gong.  The paper dial is quite dark and yellowed.  A couple of similar early examples sold at Cottone’s in 2021 for $800 and $950.  $600-$1000.

A big thanks to Colleen Houtz for the expert research help!