Forestville Mfg Co ogee clock information wanted

[Elliott Wolin]

Just found this clock in a thrift store and my wife liked it. The movement says "Forestville Mfg Co Bristol CT" but the usual printed manufacturer's information flyer glued to the inside is gone. I'm guessing it disintegrated and was replaced by the nice picture (see below). Also, I assume the glass was reverse-painted, so it was replaced by a nice nautical battle scene between glass plates, with a page from some sort of history book showing on the reverse side. It stands about 29" tall.

I understand Forestville made clocks between approximately 1835 and 1855, so I'm assuming this clock dates from this time period.

Any additional or more specific information would be appreciated.

Note there are three pivot holes repaired by peening (or whatever it's called), some showing major damage to the clock plate (I haven't taken the movement out yet so haven't seen the back side). Fortunately, everything seems relatively tight, and the clock runs pretty well.

 

[EscapeWheel]

This one looks a lot like yours. Beautiful wood.

Kirtland H. Crump Antique Clocks - Madison, Connecticut - Rosewood ogee clock with eight-day weight driven time only movement (kirtlandcrumpclocks.com)

 

[Sooth]

Hi Elliott. Just based on the images/movement as well as the information you provided, the only thing I can really add is that the age on these tends to largely be dictated by the dial (and tablet, but yours is missing). With a wooden dial that has very plain corners and no logo in the centre, I think this one would be a bit towards the late 1840s. By 1850s I believe they had started to switch to zinc dials. These 8-day Forestville clocks tend to be fairly common, and the movements are well made. The veneer is beautiful. You may consider looking for a more correct bottom glass. Either a Fenn-style stencil, or a freehand/frosted type, or a decal type would all work for this type of clock. Attached are just a few examples.

These were sold with at least 2 different types of movements. Plain (like yours) with rectangular plates, and fancy with the so-called "Acorn" movement, which has a plain back plate and a fancy/scrolled front plate.

 

[Andy Dervan]

Snowden Taylor wrote a number of years ago two booklets on J.C. Brown and Forestville Mfg. Co. that documented the company and its products. They are fantastic resources. Check used online book dealers and NAWCC book store they might be located.

I just checked ABE Books has copies for sale

Andy Dervan