Description

J. Ives “New Hampshire Mirror Clock”, 1818-1825. A diminutive version of the Ives “Looking Glass Clock”, shorter and narrower than the full-size version, at 45.5 inches tall and 19.5 inches wide. The mahogany case has good veneer all around with no evident finish and fluted half-columns on each side. The left scroll tip has been repaired, not perfectly. The three heavy brass globe finials are on screws. The dial glass is original, with the original tablet touched up and with additional losses. The mirror is old, possibly period, but I think it has been resilvered. The dial is a thick aluminum replacement and the hands are substitutes, cut down to fit. A pair of proper Joseph Ives hands are included that will fit the dial but the mounting opening on the hour hand needs to be cut. The Ives short-drop movement has steel plates and brass gears and is running like a champ, but the strike is not activating. It will strike when the strike arm is lifted by hand, and the steel bell is period. There is an old pendulum bob and two standard 8-day (8 lb) weights; the interior had a blue-green wash but most of that is gone. There is no label. This model is less common than the long-drop version; AAC sold one in 2020 for $1575. $750–$1500.

Record courtesy of AntiqueAmericanClocks.com