Silas B. Terry & Co. Terryville, Connecticut. Cottage Clock. UU-36.
This shelf clock form is called a "Cottage Clock." It is an unusual and desirable example because the case is veneered with a product decorated to emulate snake skin. The condition of this veneer is excellent original condition. We have also seen nearly identical examples that were not originally veneered with this specific treatment. This example, pictured here, must have been a more expensive option. The upper and lower moldings are canted towards the case's main body. The entire front of this clock doubles as a door. Both panels are fitted with glass. The lower tablet features a lovely acid-etched design that is in excellent condition and has been enhanced with color. The door opens to allow one access to the clock. The dial is painted on tin. It features a time ring with Roman-style numerals. The original brass-made hands tell the time. Note the unusual location of the winding arbor. This indicates to the astute collector that this clock has S.B.'s Ladder type movement. If you remove the dial, you will see that this version is brass constructed with the time spring mounted outside of the back plate. It is key wound and designed to run for 30 hours on a full wind. Pasted inside the case onto the backboard is the Maker's label. This label is in very good original condition.
This clock measures approximately 10.25 inches tall. It was made circa 1855.
Inventory number QQ-36.
Silas B. Terry was born on February 1, 1807 (during Eli's involvement with the porter contract) and died of a heart attack on May 20, 1876. He was the youngest of eight children born to Eli & Eunice (Warner) Terry. Silas worked in various clockmaking enterprises. Unlike his father, he focused on the more expensive brass-geared clocks and was in the process of producing them as early as December of 1833. He was an inventive person and was constantly testing new designs. One of the most notable was the application of the balance wheel to clock movements. Silas was granted a patent for this on August 9, 1845. Silas was involved with several clockmaking firms, which included the S. B. Terry & Company (1852-1853) and Terryville MFG., Co. (1853-1854). In 1854, Terry went bankrupt and took a job as a general manager of the William L. Gilbert & Company of Winsted, Connecticut. In 1861, he took a job as superintendent of the Waterbury Clock Company. In 1867, he formed the Terry Clock Company in Waterbury with his sons. Silas' early clocks were well made and often had interesting movements. The evidence of his work supports the suggestion that he loved to tinker.
