Description
Welch, Spring & Co. “Patti No. 1”, ca. 1879-1884. The iconic Patti clock, named after Adelina Patti, “The Queen of the Opera”; she sang for Mary and Abraham Lincoln at the White House. The 19-inch rosewood case has extensive carvings on the corner columns and ball finials on top, with rosewood veneer and an old finish. There are some small veneer losses on the top of the case (a stain pen can disguise those chips), and the base of the left ball finial and part of the base of the center finial have been lost. The two side glasses are likely original, as is the gilded door glass, held in place by the original putty. The painted metal dial holds old and likely original paint with slight fading and some chips; the hands are Welch hands. The 8-day, time-and-strike Patti movement is running, not strongly, and striking on the hours on the nickel bell, regulated by a sandwich-glass pendulum. There is a label on the back. AAC has sold five examples over the past 6 years for an average of $636. $300-$700.
Record courtesy of AntiqueAmericanClocks.com