227. $500
Forestville Manufacturing Co. ripple-front gothic,
1842-1849. I’m not aware of any other maker of ripple-front clocks; JC Brown had a lock on the manufacturing process that was
lost until the 1980’s. This round gothic (beehive) has an unusual ripple pattern around the perimeter, with a second somewhat
uncommon pattern on the door. The finish is clean and polished, with just a slight veneer repair on the peak at the back. Both glasses are original, with much of the frosting lost from the stenciled tablet. The round metal dial was repainted by The
Dial House with the JC Brown signature at the top; the hands are proper and period, but the minute hand has been repaired. The
brass 8-day, time-and-strike movement is die-stamped “Forestville M.F.G. Co”; it is running and striking on the wire gong without
problem. There is a formerly white label on the back wall inside that has been heavily varnished but is still readable. AAC sold two ripple-front beehives last summer for $687 and $604. $500–$700.
Antique American Clocks JANUARY 2025