Seth Thomas off-center pillar & scroll, 1818–1822.  An early edition of the pillar & scroll invented by Eli Terry, here made by his former employee Seth Thomas.  It stands 29.5 inches tall with a cleaned and polished mahogany case and veneer.  Note the satinwood veneer on the scroll-top; the brass urns are the proper type and mount with steel posts.  There is no door latch.  The scroll top and feet look original, with no repairs; I can’t exclude the possibility that the scroll top is an old replacement.  The dial glass is modern, the lower glass old, with newer putty and a repainted tablet.  The wooden dial is the proper style with two beehives below the mainstem and is in outstanding condition.  The hands are period.  The Model 2C 4-wheel, wood-strap movement is clean and shows little wear and is likely a modern replacement.  It is running without issue, striking on an iron bell.  A very similar example of this clock, with the same movement and a matching label, is shown in Roberts & Taylor, Eli Terry and the Connecticut Shelf Clock, on page 95, with a discussion on page 87.  There are two proper lead weights compounded on four wooden pulleys and a good label on the backboard.  This is a fine example, with few apologies. AAC sold a similar example last summer for $2400.  $1600–$2400.

Thanks to Jim DuBois for help with the movement identification!

Antique American Clocks                     JULY 2023