Posted 13 years ago
JohnWayne
(5 items)
I have an Ansonia clock that I am trying to identify.
It is wooden. On the face it says Ansonia Clock Co. Brooklyn N.Y.
I have searched everywhere and cannot find another clock to compare mine to.
I would like to know the name of the model and perhaps the year it was made.
I am enclosing a picture of the clock.
Any help would be deeply appreciated.
JohnWayne,
That's a very nice, ornate clock with a beautiful face and bezel. Are you certain that this clock is wooden? Is the clock very heavy, say 20-25 pounds? It looks like an enameled iron case Ansonia model named "Berne" circa 1901. There were a lot of black wood mantel clocks made by all of the American Clock manufacturers, but as you can imagine, the wood cases are relatively light compared to the iron cased clocks. Most of the iron cased clocks were made with a wooden sounding board on the bottom. The wooden board gives much better acoustics when the normally used Cathedral Bell or Gong is struck on the hour. Compare the sound of the strike made by just about any Crystal Regulator with the hourly strike made by these types of clocks and you'll hear that there is no comparison. These mantel clocks have a much richer, deeper and resonant strike. You can carefully unscrew the wooden sounding board or just use a flash light and look through the back door at the inside surfaces of the case. You'll be able to tell at a glance whether it is made of wood or iron. If it is the iron cased "Berne", Tran Duy Ly most recently appraised this clock at $325 in 2004. I hope this helps. Enjoy!
Here's a great website for you... I can't find the "Berne" model anywhere though. Very nice clock! Thanks for sharing!! http://www.antiqueansoniaclocks.com/Ansonia-Clock-Model-Names.php
Hello toolate2,
I've never seen this modle before and I can not find it on the web either. I'm pretty sure that this clock is the Ansonia "Berne" though. I found it on page 296 of Tran Duy Ly's "Ansonia Clocks and Watches" 2nd edition. He states that it is an Enameled Iron Eight-Day, Half-Hour Gong Strike Mantel Clock. Finished in Black with Gilt Ornaments, French or Rococo Sash, Beveled Glass, Porcelain Dial, Arabic or Roman. Height 8 1/4". Width 13 1/4" Dial 4 1/4". Originally listed for $13.50, or it was also available in Green Enamel for $14.45. (Approximately $350-$375 in 2010 dollars). If JohnWayne's clock has a wood case, then I don't know what model it could be. Ansonia's Wood Case Mantel Clocks tended to be elaborately decorated/carved and finished hardwoods. Not the black enameled paint or Adamantine finishes over pine that you'll find in many Sessions, Ingraham, Waterbury, Welsh or Seth Thomas mantel clocks. That just wasn't Ansonia's style. Of course, they went out of business after WWI so perhaps there is something to be said for making it cheaper in a highly competitive market. They were made to last though.
Thanks for the feedback on my Berne Ansonia clock.
You are right. It is metal with a wooden base.
You're most welcome. That's not a common model. Whether you decide to keep it or sell it, I would treat the enamel paint like you would any car. Clean and wax it. "Goop" hand cleaner without pumice (available at Wal-Mart) applied sparingly with a old soft bristle toothbrush, a clean soft rag and Q-tips is a good and safe cleaner for the enamel and ornaments. Stay away from Brasso on the ornaments. They are made of finished Spelter. The finish is usually thin and can wear through if you use anything abrasive on it. Take care.
You da man Bruce.
Thanks for the tips on how to properly clean my Berne Ansonia clock.
In reply to tooLate.
I had looked on the site that you sent to me.
They do not even list a "Berne" style Ansonia clock.
It must be pretty rare.