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Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut. A winking lion shelf clock. 218057.

This lion example can be a difficult case form to find. The case is cast in iron and is done so in good detail. Under the base, one can see the Maker's name cast into the base in relief. It reads, "Bradley & Hubbard / PATENT / APPLIED FOR / 1858." A small brass movement, made by the Waterbury Clock Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, is mounted inside the case. This time-only design is spring-powered and designed to run for 30 hours on a full wind. It is wound through the paper dial at the front of the clock. The lion's eyes blink with the motion of the escapement in the movement. The paper dial is original to this clock and applied to a tin pan trimmed with a brass bezel. The dial measures approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. The outer brass bezel is fitted with glass.

The lion sits approximately 8.5 inches tall. It is 10.5 inches wide and 6 inches deep at the base.

This clock was made circa 1860.

Inventory number 218057.

The Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company was located in Meriden, Connecticut. Today, the Bradley & Hubbard firm is better known in most circles for making cast iron items such as figural doorstops and small banks. This clock represents a smaller market where they made figural clock cases and fit them internally with thirty-hour movements. Their iron clock cases often featured eye openings in the castings. These were fitted with painted eyes that moved up and down with the motion of the balance. Hence, the clock trade and numerous collectors refer to them as "Blinkers" or "Winkers." The Bradley & Hubbard firm made a number of different case styles. Some of the more common examples or figures in today's marketplace include John Bull, the Continental, and Topsy. Many of these case forms were colorfully paint-decorated. Unfortunately, very few examples survive in excellent condition.

  • A winking lion shelf clock. 218057. Delaney Antique Clocks.
  • Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Conn. A winking lion shelf clock. 218057.
  • Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut. A winking lion shelf clock. 218057. Delaney Antique Clocks.
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