Object Details
- Litchfield Manufacturing Co.
- Description
- This small clock from the early 1850s is unsigned, but its movement is likely from a Connecticut clock factory and its case is likely a product of the Litchfield Manufacturing Co., Litchfield, Conn. The Litchfield firm was America’s first paper-mâché factory, founded by English immigrants in 1851 and eventually employing about 50 men and women. The firm used a patented British process for mother-of-pearl inlay to decorate an array of goods in addition to clock cases, including tables, card cases, fire screens, boxes, vases and ornamental hinges and clasps. The Litchfield firm failed after a merger in the mid-1850s that bankrupted its major supporter, showman P.T. Barnum.
- This clock’s base is made of wood, the body is made of black papier-mâché, with mother-of-pearl inlay and painted images on front and gilt edge paint. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals. The brass movement has steel mainsprings, and the entire clock is covered with glass dome.
- References:
- DeVoe, Shirley Spaulding. "The Litchfield Manufacturing Company, makers of
- japanned papier mache." Antiques, August 1960, 150-153.
- Palmer, Brooks in “The Litchfield Manufacturing Company,” American Antiques
- Journal, November 1949, 26-28.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- James Arthur Collection, New York University
- 1850-1860
- ID Number
- 1984.0416.095
- catalog number
- 1984.0416.095
- accession number
- 1984.0416
- Object Name
- table clock
- clock
- Measurements
- overall: 11 1/4 in x 8 1/4 in x 5 1/2 in; 28.575 cm x 20.955 cm x 13.97 cm
- face: 3 1/4 in; 8.255 cm
- clock w/o dome and base: 20.6502 cm x 15.24 cm; 8 1/8 in x 6 in
- place made
- United States: Connecticut, Litchfield
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Mechanisms
- Measuring & Mapping
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_1203365
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-81af-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
