96.      $350

Eli Terry, Jr. Empire shelf clock, ca. 1835.  Eli Terry, Jr. worked on his own from 1831 to 1835 under his own name; in 1835 he took on two partners (Blakesley and Goodwin) and formed Eli Terry, Jr. & Co., which continued until his death from consumption (tuberculosis) in 1841, at the age of 42.  They made brass 8-day clocks with Babbitt metal (mostly tin, with antimony and copper) for the drums and pinions; the pinions in this clock appear to be made of this alloy, suggesting that this clock was made after the formation of this partnership, and although the label does not credit this business, it does state that the clock was made in Terrysville, which became the local name for the area in the late 1830’s.  This is an impressive clock; it stands 40 inches tall and 22.5 inches wide in flame mahogany veneer with full columns, elaborately carved mahogany capitals, and brass ornaments in the top corners.  The dial glass has been replaced and needs to be puttied in; the middle glass displays a very nice and detailed lithograph image (unlikely to be original), and the lower door mirror is very old and possibly original. There are two ivory escutcheons; it is not clear if the large claw feet are original to the clock.  There are two turned feet in back.  The wooden dial appears to have been repainted and is very clean and bright.  Note the large cutout to view the unusual brass movement, thought to be designed by Eli’s younger brother Silas.  This clock does not include weights or a pendulum bob but when I hung appropriate weights (#901 in Parts, available to the winning bidder of this clock for $50) the clock ran without issue.  The strike chain functions as well but the iron bell is missing.  There is a good label inside.  There are two similar examples in the Antique Clocks Price Guide, but no recent sales.  $350-$750.