Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Clock, Shelf |
Catalog Number |
92.37 |
Collection |
Timepiece |
Other Name |
Wagon Spring Clock |
Date |
1843-1863 |
Description |
Rosewood veneered case in two sections, upper section has gold leaf eglomise dial surround in door , mirrored tablet in lower door. Iron framework and "wagon spring" visible with lower door open. Painted dial with roman numerals 4.5" diameter. Joseph Ives provided movements for the firm of Atkins, Whiting & Co. This model was one of two produced by the firm over a five year period. It is thought that Joseph Ives supervised the making of all such movements due to the complexity of design. The timepiece is powered by a leaf spring made in the same manner as that used on wagons, hence the name, "Wagon Spring Clock." The sturdy cast iron frame is necessary to keep the movement from "blowing apart" under the strain of the enormous tension provided by the leaf spring. This movement does not have the rolling verge escapement which Ives used on many of his experimental clocks. |
Maker |
Atkins, Whiting & Company |
Material |
wood, glass, brass, cast iron |
Place of Origin |
Bristol, Connecticut, USA |
Notes |
A 33868 7 slides in slide cabinet 1 Round 30-day brass time only movement, plates are brass, spoked with no bushings. Wheels are a mixture of tin and spoked brass, verge has no rollers. Cast iron frame has a decorative scroll design. Wagon spring is made up of eight leaves held together by a square nut in the center. Movement is housed in a rosewood veneered case with a gold foil dial surround and a mirror table in lower door. Refer to The Clocks of Irenus Atkins, published by Defense Technologies, Inc. in 2004, pages 42-43 and 46. Updated by Cara M. Lower 8/7/14 |