William L. Gilbert Clock Company of Winsted, Connecticut. The Amphion. 224018.
The "Amphion" is one of the Gilbert Clock Co's fancier mantel clock models.
The walnut case is decorated with numerous shaped moldings, applied carvings, Eastlake designs, ebonized highlighting, and beveled mirrors. This elaborate case design would have been time-consuming to manufacture.
The pediment centers a Fleur-de-Lys & shield-shaped carved crest. A bust of Jenny Lind is located in the center of the shield. Scrolled side crests having wooden rondels at the top are fitted on either side of the central crest. These details are placed along the overhung, stepped, and molded architecturally shaped pediment.
The dome-topped door is fitted with glass decorated from the back with delicate silver transfer. The artwork depicts two birds in the grass. The design allows one to view the swinging pendulum and the dial. Triangular walnut spandrels are positioned just above the door arch. The mirror panels positioned on either side of the door have beveled edges. A wheat decoration is featured in the mirrors. The side mirrors are positioned above square ebony-edged blocks. The architectural base centers a third cut-glass mirrored panel. This is flanked by cut foliate leafy walnut forms.
The paper dial is original to the clock. It measures 6 inches in diameter and is applied to a pan and trimmed with a nickel ring. The time ring is formatted with Roman-style hour numerals. Open-moon-style hands point out the time.
Behind the dial, one will find a rectilinear skeletonized brass eight-day movement. It strikes the hours, and the half-hours on a wire "Catherdal" gong mounted to the back of the case. The gong was patented by George B. Owen, GONG BELL. No. 256,727. Patented Apr. 18, 1882. The front plate of the brass movement is die-stamped by the Maker. The pendulum swings below the dial. It is designed with multiple rods. The bob features a brass bezel that supports a decorative piece of glass. The glass is cut from the back in a design that plays with the light that passes through it.
The Clockmaker's paper label remains on the on the backboard. This label reads, "AMPHION / MANUFACTURED BY / Wm. L. Gilbert Clock Co., / Winsted, Conn."
The case measures 25 inches tall, 16.6 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep.
Inventory number 224108.
