246. $750
Terryville Manufacturing Co. candlestick clock, 1853–1860. Silas
B. Terry formed this company to manufacture clocks that used his newly patented torsion spring escapement, as found on this candlestick
clock. The 30-hour spring is housed in the cannister behind the movement; it drives the escapement which causes a vertical
rod attached to the center of a horizontal lever-spring to rotate back and forth in a semi-circle. A four-spoke wheel just
above the lever-spring governs the rate of rotation (just as a pendulum governs the rate of swing). You can adjust the
lever-spring tension with the pointer on the base, allowing you to speed up or slow down the clock. The 4.5-inch cobalt
glass pedestal is free of cracks and chips; the brass movement sits on a felt base that also supports the antique glass dome, with
a total height of 9 inches. The dial is paper in good condition; it is signed “Terryville MF’G Co.” with “Terryville Conn”
at the bottom. The hands look original. The back of the spring cannister is stamped with the maker, location,
and patent date of Oct 5, 1852. The clock needs adjustment to the torsion spring or anchor to run. This was
Silas B’s last big clock idea, but it didn’t take off like he hoped, and he left the firm after a year and went back to making pendulum
clocks; he continued to work for another 23 years, including stints as General Manager of Wm L Gilbert & Co., Waterbury Clock
Co., forming his last business with his four sons, the Terry Clock Co., and leaving this world in 1876 at the age of 69. What
an accomplished life! AAC sold a white Terry candlestick clock in 2023 for $850. $750–$900.
Antique American Clocks JANUARY 2025