127. $250
Jeromes’ & Darrow carved column & splat, 1828-1834. The recognition that a 30-hour wooden movement was not restricted to pillar and scroll cases led to a rapid expansion in case styles. Column and splat clocks gained popularity, as they were more rugged and readily transported by peddlers without damage. To avoid
paying royalties to Terry, Jerome and others developed short and long-drop 30-hour movements, with the latter found in Jerome’s first
new case design, the bronze looking glass clock (#125). Chauncey recruited his younger brother Noble to design movements for
these clocks; here he used a carved column and splat case, conceived by Elias Ingraham in 1828 for George Mitchell, with a standard
short-drop movement. The case is 30 inches tall with the period pineapple finials; the carved half-columns and splat are outstanding
(NB: the splat may be a period replacement). The dial glass is a modern replacement, puttied in place; the lower glass and tablet
are original and in spectacular condition, and protected on the inside by a second glass. The wooden dial is clean and elaborately
decorated, the hands are proper. The wooden movement will strike but the escapement needs adjustment to run; there is a fancy
pendulum bob that is probably not original. There is a good label inside, two old weights, and new tin pulley dust covers. A really nice example. $250-$500.
Antique American Clocks January 2023