163. $500
Terryville Manufacturing Co. iron-case with
torsion pendulum, 1853-1860. Silas B. Terry formed this company specifically to manufacture clocks with his newly patented torsion
spring pendulum, as found here. Tran Duy Ly discusses the TMC and this unusual movement in American Clocks, Vol 3, on pages
194-200. The small iron case is 10.5 inches tall with gilding, painted flowers, and small pieces of mother of pearl along the
outer edge. Most of the MOP is still present and the colors are very strong. The glass in the bezel is modern, the dial
holds the original paint, and the hands are unusual but not typical. The 30-hour time-only movement is not signed, but we all
know who designed and made it. It is running strongly; I suspect the suspension spring has been replaced. As you would
expect, it runs standing upright or lying down on its back. It is mounted on a wooden backboard. There is no label. There are half-a-dozen similar examples on the Antique Clocks Identification and Price Guide, none as nice as this one; Schmitt Horansold a less attractive example in 2023 for $500. $500–$1000.
Antique American Clocks JANUARY 2025