Posted 10 years ago
Kydur
(103 items)
These types of pillar clocks (as I call them) are about as garish and ostentatious as they come, but yet somehow their appearance begins to grow on you as they sit there quietly ticking yet screaming LOOK AT ME! the whole time.
This was a $45 yard sale find and was overall in fairly good condition, just mostly needing a good case cleaning (lots of white mold inside) and oiling of the movement. I took the case apart completely in order to clean it thoroughly and was amazed at how "cheaply" they were put together - presumably with smash 'em together assembly line construction as they were rather inexpensive and marketed as the everyman's clock. Still, the marbleized treatment and ebonized wood seemed well-crafted.
My research places the timeline for this clock at 1915-1920, but please correct me if that's wrong. There's a bit of the original paper instruction sheet on the back panel but not enough to be of much help.
Love the pretentious garish stuff myself. That clock has a great rear view too with all those gears.
You have an American Black Mantel Clock. It is a Sessions model called the "Carlotta" from circa 1908. It originally listed for $9.15, roughly $240 in 2014 so although it was relatively cheap compared to the Clocks whose style it emulated, it still wasn't a cheaply made, throw-away item like you might find manufactured today. After all, it's still alive and ticking over a century after it was manufactured. These clocks were American "Knock-Offs" of the expensive European Slate and Marble Cased clocks. They are chiefly made of Pine Wood finished with Black Enamel Paint and simulated Marble. The metal components where usually finished Spelter, which is a Zinc Alloy often referred to as "Pot Metal". Thanks again for sharing your items on C.W.
P.S., at $45 for a nice example in working condition, I think you got a good deal. These types of clocks generally sell at auction for somewhere around $75-$100. Some much more, some less...depending upon the condition, rarity, desirability, and any historical significance. Every American Clock Manufacturer from this period offered numerous models of Black Mantel clocks as it was a very popular style from the early 20th Century.
Some of this style of clock look a little funereal to me, but I like the look of this one. Excellent price!