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Shelf Clock

Seth Thomas American
ca. 1820
Not on view
By about 1815, Eli Terry (1772–1852) of Connecticut had developed simple wooden clockworks, which could be mass-produced and housed in popular pillar-and-scroll cases, a form Terry had probably invented. In October 1818 Terry agreed to let Seth Thomas produce his shelf clock for a royalty fee. Thomas subsequently produced nearly five thousand movements, exemplified by those in this shelf clock. Painted on the lower section of the door is a scene of Mount Vernon.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shelf Clock
  • Maker: Seth Thomas (1785–1859)
  • Date: ca. 1820
  • Geography: Made in Plymouth, Connecticut, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Mahogany, maple, white pine
  • Dimensions: 27 7/8 x 15 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. (70.8 x 40 x 9.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.195
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
Water-lily textile, Associated Artists American, Silk, woven and printed, American
Water-lily textile
Designer Associated Artists
Manufacturer Manufactured by Cheney Brothers
1883–1900
Shelf Clock, David Wood American, Mahogany, maple, ebony, white pine, American
Shelf Clock
David Wood
1800–1805
Water-pattern textile, Associated Artists American, Silk, woven, American
Water-pattern textile
Designer Associated Artists
Manufacturer Probably manufactured by Cheney Brothers
1883–1900
Shelf Clock, David Wood American, Mahogany, mahogany veneer, white pine, American
Shelf Clock
David Wood
1792–1800
Woven water-lily sample, Associated Artists American, Silk, woven, American
Woven water-lily sample
Designer Associated Artists
Manufacturer Manufactured by Cheney Brothers
1883–1900

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