1.         $1100

J. Ives “New Hampshire Mirror Clock”, 1818-1825.  A large (57-inch) clock with an Ives steel-plate, roller-pinion movement with brass bushings and a long-drop pendulum with the bob visible through the bottom glass.   The middle glass was always a mirror (here an old replacement), and the top glass with a reverse painting around the dial.  I believe both reverse paintings here are old replacements, well done in a proper style, and never removed from the door frame; it’s possible that they are touch-ups to the original paintings.  The heavy iron dial is original and in need of repainting, or at least touch-up.  The hands are original.  The mahogany veneer is darn good with just a couple of chips and an old finish; the corbels on either side of the dial glass are veneered in bird’s eye maple and need to be cleaned to bring out the contrast with the mahogany veneer.  The urn finials on top look good but are wooden, and the scroll tips have been broken and re-veneered.  The Ives 8-day, time-and-strike movement is running and keeping time, driven by two 9-lb weights; the strike rack-and-snail movement needs adjustment to get it to count the hours properly.  The interior of the case is washed in blue paint with a floral (?) pattern in lighter green; I can’t figure out how it was done, but I’m pretty sure it is original.  The interior of these cases often was painted or wallpapered.  I think these are beautiful clocks and it is hard to find ones in presentable condition like this.  You still see the better ones selling for up to $2000.  Ly, American Clocks Vol. 3, pp. 110-117. $1200-$2000.