Samuel & Eli Terry Pillar and Scroll Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1824-1827
This 1824-1827 pillar and scroll clock was produced by the brothers Samuel and Eli Terry in Plymouth, Connecticut. The clock features a walnut case, which stands 32 inches tall to the top of its brass finials, with a width of 17 1/2 inches and a depth of 4 1/2 inches.
It is equipped with a 30-hour wooden movement. The dial is reported as original and in excellent condition, while the reverse glass painting on the door is a replacement. The case design incorporates side columns and bracket feet. The clock is complete with its original weight, pendulum bob, case key, and winding key. An expert has verified the mechanical condition, noting that the wooden works can be sensitive to environmental changes such as humidity and temperature, which may affect operation.
A repair is present on the right side of the case.
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
- 1824-1827
- Type
- Pillar and scroll clock
- Maker
- Samuel & Eli Terry
- Movement
- 30-hour wooden movement
- Condition
- Repaired right side of case
- Dimensions
- 32 inches high, 17 1/2 inches wide, 4 1/2 inches deep
- Case material
- Walnut
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- Samuel & Eli Terry
- Place of manufacture
- Plymouth, Connecticut
Design
- Visible features
- • Walnut case with side columns • Floral painted dial • Replacement reverse glass panel with landscape • Brass finials and bracket feet
- Case and Aesthetic Features
- The clock is housed in a walnut case characterized by its pillar and scroll form, a design that features decorative side columns and a scroll-top pediment. The upper section is finished with three brass finials. The case is raised on bracket feet, contributing to its profile. The front of the clock includes an access door that contains the dial and a decorative reverse glass painting. The reverse glass painting, which depicts a landscape scene, is noted by the auction description as a replacement. The dial itself, which features painted floral decoration, is described as being in excellent condition and is believed to be original to the clock. On the right side of the wooden case, there is a visible area where a repair has been performed.
- Documentation and Authenticity
- The clock includes an internal paper label, which is described as being in excellent condition. This documentation helps attribute the piece to the working period of the Terry brothers between 1824 and 1827. The association with the Terry name and the specific construction of the pillar and scroll style are linked to their shop in Plymouth, Connecticut. In addition to the provided keys for the case and winding, the auction house has provided a condition report based on an evaluation by an expert. This verification includes confirmation that the clock is complete and that its mechanical state has been inspected.
- Movement and Mechanical Details
- Internally, the timepiece is powered by a 30-hour movement constructed primarily of wooden components. This type of movement was designed by the Terry brothers during their period of operation in Plymouth, Connecticut. The clock is accompanied by its original weights and pendulum bob, which are required for the functioning of the weight-driven system. Mechanical operation is managed through the use of a provided winding key. The auction description notes that the movement has been examined and is currently capable of running. Due to the properties of wood, the movement is susceptible to expansion and contraction caused by fluctuations in ambient humidity and temperature, which can lead to the clock stopping if these conditions are not controlled.
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: Repair present on the right side of the case
- Research required: Dial originality is believed to be original