Antique American Clocks January 2020
33. $300
Plymouth CT pillar & scroll, ca. 1825? There were only two clockmakers working in
Plymouth, the Terrys and Seth Thomas; this clock must be from one of those groups, but as you can see from the label, the maker’s
name has been lost. I have searched through five years of P&S clocks that Horton’s has sold, looking for a label that matches
the one in this clock. I learned that early clockmakers changed their labels about as often as we change our socks. The
dial on this pillar & scroll is a Terry type, but which Terry isn’t clear; Eli Terry, Terry & Son, Terry and Sons, Eli Terry
Jr… Perhaps someone with more time can match the label, or the movement to a specific Plymouth CT maker. The 30-inch mahogany
case is in good shape with the usual repairs to the scrolls and to the left front foot. The brass finials are nice but likely
replacements. The dial glass is very wavy and looks like it is held in by the original putty, although most has broken out. The tablet glass is not wavy but the putty looks very old/original, so I am unsure what to think there. The tablet certainly
has been repainted, probably in the door, but I don’t see a signature. The wood dial is nicely painted, clean, but the cleaning
has removed some detail; note the basket of flowers under the mainstem and the painted spandrels. The hands are old, the wooden
movement is running and striking, 30 hours, with old weights; note that the verge has been repaired. Somebody added a small
brass handle to the door, the ivory escutcheon is still there and looks functional. Dust covers are missing. All in all,
an attractive example from a famous maker, we just don’t know which one. $300-$500.