14.                   $1000

Hiram Welton timepiece with alarm, ca. 1841.  Peter Nunes has a nice discussion on the NAWCC Discussion Board where he notes that when Welton took over Eli Terry Jr’s shop in 1841 it included some miniature half-column cases, as found here.  These cases were not veneered, but instead were grain-painted, smoked, and stenciled, which Hiram fitted with time-and-alarm wooden movements, again as found here. This case is 24 inches tall with smoked sides (very unusual) and painted and stenciled columns, door, and splat.  It appears that red and black are alternating on the painted surfaces, with bronze stenciling over the paint.  The color and detail are well-retained on this example.  The dial glass is original, the lower glass old but the putty is newer; it was repainted by Lee Davis.  The wooden dial is clean and colorful, with a painted zinc dial ring and two period hands.  The 30-hour movement is running strongly; I did not test the alarm.  There are two small square weights and a good label on the back board. There is also an interesting, inked note on the label that seems to indicate that a previous owner was married Feb 25, 1832, and bought this clock that same year – not likely, as this clock was likely made around 1841.  This may be a note from a descendant of the first owner, who misremembered when the clock was purchased.  Just a guess.   All you have to remember is that these clocks are rare, and especially rare with good paint and stenciling.  There are two sales on LiveAuctioneers, the most recent at Skinner’s in 2011 for $2700, and no sales on the Antique Clocks Identification and Price Guide.  $1000–$2000.