Ephraim Downs for George Mitchell of Bristol, Connecticut. Circa 1830. A transitional shelf clock with an eagle stenciled decorated splat and floral decorated half columns. NN-40.
This is a wonderful transitional shelf clock with a pasted label that reads, "IMPROVED CLOCKS, / MANUFACTURED / BY / Ephraim Downs, / FOR / GEORGE MITCHELL / BRISTOL, CONN."
The transitional shelf clock form was produced in significant numbers in Connecticut by many of the clock-making firms located in that State. This form evolved from the very popular Pillar & Scroll mantel clock that sold so well. This variation in case design offered a decorative appearance change and was not nearly as fragile, making it much easier to transport.
This is a very good example in that the decorative casework remains in excellent original condition. The turned half columns and splat are decorated with stencils of bronze work. The decoration on the splat should attract one's attention. The design features a nicely detailed American eagle with its wings in an outstretched position. The eagle is positioned atop the world or a globe. Cannons and other weapons are also depicted in this location. The half-columns are decorated with floral themes. All of this stencil design is in wonderful original condition. The case is mahogany and retains an older finish. The door is divided into two sections. The lower section is fitted with a reverse-painted tablet in excellent original condition and is original to this clock. This very colorful scene depicts a large two-story estate building that sits on top of a hill. The wooden dial is decorated with raised gesso and gilt designs. The spandrel areas are decorated with a star as the central theme. The time ring is formatted with Roman-style hour numerals. The movement is a traditional thirty-hour, time & strike wooden works design. This is weight powered and is standard fair for the period. The original pasted label remains on the backboard.
This clock stands approximately 28.5 inches tall and was made circa 1830.
Inventory number NN-40.
Ephraim Downs was born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, on December 20, 1787, and died in Bristol, Connecticut, on December 8, 1860. He was the son of David and Mary Chatterton Downs and had a brother Anson who was a Carpenter.
Ephraim was known to have made wooden geared tall clock movements as early as 1811 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He made movements for Lemuel Harrison & Co and later Clark, Cook & Co. In April 1815, Ephraim traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked for Read & Watson and then others. He returned to Plymouth, Connecticut, in about 1816, when he went to work with Silas Hoadley, Eli Terry, and Seth Thomas. In 1822 he married Chloe Painter, thus becoming the brother-in-law of Silas Hoadley. He was in business with himself in 1823 and then With George Mitchell in Bristol, CT, in 1825. Ephraim became very successful.
