197.           $2500

Elmer Stennes girandole, 1953.  Note the year this clock was made – it’s an early example.  Bob Hynes tells me Stennes began making girandoles in the late 1940’s; this one is stamped #1 on the case edge behind the lower door and is signed by Stennes on the back of the dial as “Case #1”.  On the left side of the lower case opposite the case number is stamped ‘3’, indicating it was made in 1953.  Bob also confirmed Elmer’s writing on the back of the dial; spelling apparently was not his forte.  Stennes’ early girandoles also had a beaded rim around the lower glass – compare this one to one from 1968.  This clock is in excellent condition, with good gilding all around, except for the gilded balls around the lower glass, which have been touched up with gold paint.  The glasses are great, the dial is clean and signed, with the proper Stennes hands, and a good, gilded eagle on top.  The 8-day movement was made by E. Howard for a No. 70 Regulator, which Stennes modified for a longer pendulum (per Bob Hynes); it is running with enthusiasm.  The cast iron weight is also signed Stennes (he used cast iron weights in his early clocks) and there is an S stamped into the pendulum and dial bezel. This is a great example of a clock that will officially be an antique in 20 years.  AAC sold the one noted above in 2020 for $4651; Fontaine’s sold four examples this spring for an average of $3300.  $2500-$4500.