E. and G. W. Bartholomew Shelf Clock, about 1820

E. and G. W. Bartholomew Shelf Clock, about 1820

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Description
Made by E. and G. W. Bartholomew in Bristol, Conn., about 1820, this clock features a thirty-hour wooden movement that strikes the hours. The white-painted dial has Roman hour numerals, painted spandrels in gold and a central stylized ring of gold-painted designs inside the ring of hours. The mahogany case has a carved eagle splat, two hollow columns through which the weights fall, paw feet and three central parts: a clear glass door covers the dial, the center features a mirror and the bottom glass panel shows a reverse-painted scene with a structure and a tree inside a gold-leaf rectangle. Two weights and a brass-covered pendulum bob also survive. Inside the case, a printed label reads: "Patent Clocks Manufactured & Sold by E. & G. Bartholomew, Bristol, Conn. P. Canfield, Printer, Hartford.”
George Wells Bartholomew and his cousin Eli started a clockmaking business in Bristol, Conn., in 1828, and, when the partnership dissolved in a few short years, G. W. continued alone until 1840. He then opened a cutlery business, but abandoned it in 1848 to head to the California gold fields.
Reference:
Smith, Eddy N. et al., Bristol, Connecticut: “in the Olden Time New Cambridge,” which includes Forestville. Hartford, Conn.: City Printing, 1907.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
hollow column clock
date made
ca 1830
manufacturer
E. & G. Bartholomew
place made
United States: Connecticut, Bristol
Measurements
overall: 93.6752 cm x 45.72 cm x 13.0302 cm; 36 7/8 in x 18 in x 5 1/8 in
top glass: 7 in x 7 in; 17.78 cm x 17.78 cm
mirror: 7 in x 7 in; 17.78 cm x 17.78 cm
bottom glass: 17.4752 cm x 27.94 cm; 6 7/8 in x 11 in
feet: 3 in; 7.62 cm
base: 11 in; 27.94 cm
column: 18 1/2 in x 4 1/4 in; 46.99 cm x 10.795 cm
ID Number
ME.317039
catalog number
317039
accession number
233061
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mechanisms
Measuring & Mapping
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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