Henry Terry Connecticut Banjo clock. NN-50.
This decorative and very colorful clock is often called or referred to as a “Connecticut banjo clock.” It is a very unusual form. The case is mahogany and has been refinished. The color is excellent. The case is designed in three sections. Both of the reverse-painted tablets have been professionally repainted and are done so with outstanding color and skill. The upper door is fitted with clear glass. Through this, one can access the painted 9-inch dial. This dial is made of wood and features gilt decorations in the spandrel areas and Roman-style hour figures. The movement is constructed in wood. This wooden geared movement is weight-driven and is designed to run for 30 hours fully wound. It will strike the hour on a bell mounted to the backboard below the movement.
This very unusual clock form was originally designed to hang on the wall. This is worth noting because very few clock forms made in Connecticut from the 1820s through the 1840s were designed to do so, and even fewer had wooden geared movements.
Over the years, we have owned several examples, one of which retained Henry Terry’s label. Almost all of them have had some paint loss or completely repainted tablets. This is a very decorative example of a rare form.
It is approximately 33.75 inches long, 13.75 inches wide at the base, and 4.5 inches deep.
This clock was made circa 1835.
Inventory number NN-50.
Henry Terry was born in Plymouth on November 2nd, 1801, and died on January 7th, 1877. He was one of eight children born to Eli and Eunice (Warner) Terry. He worked in various clock-making enterprises, some of which included the firm E. Terry & Sons (1823-1831), E. Terry & Son (1831-1832), Henry Terry & Co. (1834-1836), and the Terry Clock Company in Waterbury.
