Posted 3 years ago
Mel0530
(3 items)
Wondering if anyone had ever heard of Herter Brothers Clocks. I have found that they are furniture makers and may have built cases for clocks, but this clock face says Herter Brothers New York and the works say the same but with a possible makers mark of JBD. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Handsome clock! Hopefully one of our clock experts will be along soon....
A search reveals that they were retailers and most likely didn't make the movement, just marked them...read through here.. pretty rare clock you may have..
https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/herter-brothers-clock.148619/
Thanks dav2no1! Looking forward to finding out all I can. I found it at an estate sale today and fell in love. Not sure they knew what they had, but it was covered in dust, dirt and nicotine.
SO unique -- the lion heads are especially cool, but its whole shape and decoration is just WONDERFUL! (no matter who made it, and good luck with your research too, for that matter!!)
I would've bought that in a heartbeat...nice find, its fantastic.
If you read that thread I provided..I think one post says they've only seen like 3 marked with the JBD. And those are the guys that know clocks..so that's encouraging..
Yes, I am following the thread you provided. Lots of info there and more links. Kind of like falling down a rabbit hole lol
Make sure you come back and update us. We don't forger mystery threads around here. And updating the information may help someone else in the future..
Will do dav2no1. Thank you again!
What a beautifully unusual clock! Hang on to that baby! :)
Here's what I found from a very knowledgeable member in the NAWCC's online forums. I believe that it may be from the same Thread that dav2no1 has already provided a link to. I'll provide an excerpt for convenience:
"The Herter Brothers (Gustave and Christian) were more than just furniture makers. They were important Victorian interior decorators who provided everything required to create the most fashionable and sumptuous interiors after the Civil War into the early 20th century. They received commissions to design and provide the furniture, drapes, wall paper, wood work, etc. for crème de la crème clients including the Vanderbilts." Source: https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/herter-brothers-clock.148619/#post-1165174
rmarkowitz1_cee4a1 is extremely well versed in such matters and has posted on this website from time to time. I have forgotten his screen name here, but his posts are distinctive enough to immediately recognize if or when you run across one.
The movement looks to me to be of French design. If you remove the cup bell there may be more information available, but it looks like perhaps the movement has also been "branded" Herter Bros., is that right? If so, that gives some indication of the influence and resources Herter Bros had in their acquisitions.
The type of suspension and taper pin retention posts indicate to me that it could have been made as early as the mid 1800s. That's a nicely formed cup bell too. I bet it sounds crystal clear and sharp when struck by the metal hammer.
Thanks for sharing!
Bruce