E. Ingraham & CO. Bristol, Connecticut. The Ionic wall clock. 217101.
This "Ionic" model wall clock is an attractive form. It was made by the E. Ingraham & CO. in Bristol, Connecticut circa 1880. Elias Ingraham started in the clock business as a case designer and Maker. This is thought to be one of his designs. The case is constructed in oak and features a light finish. The dial is painted on a tin pan and is original to the clock. The eight-day time-only movement is brass construction and is powered by a coil spring. It is die-stamped by the Maker on the front plate. The pendulum is quite fancy. This is positioned in the center of the lower door. It is visible through the glass in the door.
This clock is approximately 21.75 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
It was made circa 1880.
Inventory number 217101.
Elias Ingraham was born in Marlborough, Connecticut, on October 1, 1805. He worked as a cabinetmaking apprentice for five years in Glastonbury. In 1825, he purchased his freedom and began working as a journeyman for Daniel Dewy of Hartford. In 1828, Solomon Hinman convinced him to move to Bristol and to make clock cases for George Mitchell. It is here that Ingraham designed and constructed the “Transitional” shelf clock form. Ingraham soon moves on and works for several other clock and furniture ventures. After numerous ventures, he formed the Elias Ingraham & Company in 1857 and was granted the first two patents in case design. The first was for the “Arch Column case, and the second was for the door design found in this example, having two circular doors separated by decorative rosettes. This design became extremely popular, and its influence finds its why in some of Ingraham’s competitor’s models. In 1860, the firm’s name changed to E. Ingraham & Company, reflecting a partnership with his son Edward. Elias died at his summer home on Martha’s Vineyard in August 1885. The business continued in various forms.
