Pottery clock.

[Willie X]

Has anyone ever seen one of these? It's made in one piece. The broken top corners reveal a brown colored clay with a thick, complex glaze. The columns are applied, pretty nice ...

The customer said it had a tag on the bottom, will post that when I see the clock.

The back door has gone missing and the customer doesn't know what the door looked like.

Any info is much appreciated. Willie X

 

[Willie X]

The lable says: Winstead Clock Co, Winstead Conn, U, S. A.
Willie X

 

[Dave T]

Gilbert?

 

[Steven Thornberry]

The Winsted Clock Co. was a George B. Owen operation in business from 1879 to 1894. However, and subject to correction, I am unaware that the company made “pottery” clocks, whatever those are exactly.

 

[Willie X]

The case is made from fired clay. High fired from the looks of it. The bottom sound board is attached as with porcelain clocks, with four studs, with washers and nuts. Yes, Gilbert movement. Willie X

 

[Jim Hartog]

Hello,

Tran Duy Ly's Gilbert book has a short section on "Terra Cotta" cased clocks. Nothing there like Willie's.

Jim

 

[Steven Thornberry]

Hello,

Tran Duy Ly's Gilbert book has a short section on "Terra Cotta" cased clocks. Nothing there like Willie's.

Jim

I had forgotten about Gilbert's terra cotta clocks. It is not surprising that Owen should have used the same material, given his longstanding association with Gilbert. Perhaps Owen used it first. The Winsted Clock Company was bought up by Gilbert in 1894. The (much more ornate) Terra Cotta clocks shown in Tran are from the 1904 and 1906 catalogues.

 

[shutterbug]

I would imagine the bezel is going to be fairly standard to Gilbert's. I've got one I'll have for another day or two if you want a pic.

 

[Les harland]

Are the chipped corners part of the clocks history? (known events)

 

[Jim Hartog]

Hello shutterbug,

Bezel and beveled glass appear to be present. Willie said that the back door (cover) is missing.

Jim

 

[Willie X]

Yes, I would like to learn the details of the back. I'm pretty sure it had a thin board and a typical swing up steel door. The back is apparently held on with only two fasteners, one at each side??

The corners could have had an accident but maybe due to the kiln going a little hot, or a problem during the cool-down. I used to help run a pottery kiln for a somewhat famous local potter. Talk about tricky business.

In the past, just about anything heavy was often used as a doorstop! Willie X