AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com

Jan 2020 - 83
Antique American Clocks
Forestville Mfg. Co. monumental Empire, 1846.
I know of six of these clocks: One is in
the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia PA; one is in the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol CT; one sold in 2001
at Cottone's; one sold in 2013 at Schmitt's; and one sold last November at Schmitt Horan & Co.
The sixth example is
right here, waiting for a new home.
The case is 41 inches tall in flame mahogany veneer with just a few miniscule chips and
no evident repairs.
The dial glass is old, the center tablet is unusual in that it has a mirrored surround, with "Premium Clocks
Bristol Ct. U.S.A." across the top of the window and "J.C. Brown & Co." at the bottom.
It is certainly original to the clock
and is seen on one other example.
The lower door has a very old mirror, and I suspect that the door has either been re-veneered
or is a replacement.
The metal dial is a replacement, the hands also old replacements.
The cornice has an extra 1-inch
piece of veneered wood on top that may be original to the clock, as the example in the American Clock & Watch Museum also has
an additional piece above the cornice top (see Roberts and Taylor,
Jonathan Clark Brown and the Forestville Manufacturing Company
1988, pages 16-18).
There is also a marble shelf that is not an exact fit to the cornice top, and seems likely to be from something
The clock looks fine without it.
The 8-day, signed brass movement is driven by two 7-lb iron weights that I think
are modern replacements.
It is running and striking on a wire gong.
There is a good label on the back wall, overpasted
with a jeweler's service label from long ago.
The label matches those found in other examples, and there is a photo in the Roberts
and Taylor book.
The example that
at Schmitt Horan last fall went for $7000; I believe this one is a bit nicer.
$5000-$7500.
Pick-up or delivery recommended.
Contact Todd for delivery options