Henry J. Davies Walnut Parlor Clock. Ansonia Clock Company. Mantel or shelf clock. 217041.
This very interesting and decorative mantel clock was made by the Ansonia Clock Company of Ansonia, Connecticut, and improved by Henry J. Davies of New York.
This is another lovely Davies offering. Essentially it is an Ansonia parlor clock that has been modified or dressed up. The case is constructed in walnut and retains an older surface. The top of this case appears to have been modified. We have owned another example that was fitted with a carved crest. The crest on this clock has been removed. The sides of the case are fitted with glass panels. These panels allow additional light to enter the interior of the case. The brightness of the interior is further enhanced by the original mercury-backed mirror mounted to the backboard inside the case. The pendulum is well-designed and swings in front of this mirror. It is easy to view. The decorative detail I find most interesting is the brass trellis fitted inside the case. The framing is decorated with a long winding vine. The silver leaves contrast very nicely with the brass structure. This is a great detail. The dial is paper and applied to a pan. This pan is trimmed with brass rings. The brass movement is an eight-day, time-and-strike design. It strikes each hour on a bell. The movement is spring-powered and wound with a key.
This clock was made circa 1885. It is approximately 16 inches tall, 11.25 inches wide, and 5 inches deep.
Inventory number 217041.
Henry J. Davies operated a clock-related business at No. 5 Courtland Street in New York, New York, from 1858 through 1886. Today, Davies is probably best known for his Crystal Place mantel clock design. This clock, introduced in 1874, was displayed under a glass dome. Oftentimes, figures were mounted aside from the mounted movement and usually incorporated a mirror behind the pendulum. The vast majority of these clocks were powered by Ansonia manufactured movements and were later cataloged as Ansonia clocks when Davies became the General Manager of the Brooklyn, New York plant. Davies also received several patents for his designs, including one for the now very collectible illumination alarm clock. These alarm clocks were designed to mechanically strike a match which in turn lit an oil lamp mounted in the clock’s case. The result was the illuminating of the room. One then could easily make their way around the interior or perhaps read the clock's dial. This system was to compete with the simple and safe bell alarm format.
