Chelsea Ship's Bell Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 20th century
Source-dated to the early 20th century in America, this Chelsea ship's bell clock features a silvered dial set within a brass ship's wheel casing. The circular dial displays Arabic numerals, an outer track, and two winding arbors, with the dial inscription reading 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL'.
The wheel assembly rests upon a sweeping brass plinth supported by a rectangular dark wooden base. According to the auction catalogue, the clock measures 10 1/4 inches high, 8 3/4 inches wide, and 4 3/8 inches deep.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- early 20th century
- Type
- Ship's bell desk clock
- Maker
- Chelsea
- Origin
- America
- Dimensions
- Ht. 10 1/4, wd. 8 3/4, dp. 4 3/8 in.
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- Chelsea
- Dial and Case Description
- Silvered dial framed in a brass ship's wheel on brass plinth and wood base
Design
- Visible features
- • Ship's wheel bezel features eight turned spokes radiating from the circular case. • Silvered dial displays Arabic numerals, a peripheral minute track, and two winding arbors positioned between 4 and 8. • Dial is inscribed 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' beneath the central arbor. • Mounted on a tiered plinth combining polished brass and a dark wood bottom plinth.
- Identity and Provenance
- Catalogued as an American ship's bell clock by Chelsea, this timepiece is source-dated to the early 20th century. It appeared as Lot 29 in Bonhams Skinner's sale 'The William Dana Lippman Collection: Splendor of American Furniture' held in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The auction entry does not document an explicit manufacturing year or previous ownership history prior to its inclusion in the Lippman collection.
- Case Design and Dimensions
- The clock is housed in a brass ship's wheel case, with visual observations confirming eight turned spokes radiating from the rim. The wheel is supported by a brass plinth mounted over a dark wood base. The catalogued dimensions for the clock are 10 1/4 inches high, 8 3/4 inches wide, and 4 3/8 inches deep.
- Dial Configuration and Inscriptions
- The dial is silvered and displays Arabic numerals, a peripheral minute track, and two winding arbors positioned between the 4 and 8 numeral locations. Below the central hand arbor, the dial is marked with the inscription 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL'.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Internal movement and reverse case are neither described nor depicted in the auction catalogue.
- Research required: Movement caliber and serial number are not specified.