Posted 13 years ago
InquiringC…
(1 item)
This clock was originally owned by my great grandfather. My dad, who is 87, remembers my great grandfather carefully cleaning the moving parts of the clock with an oiled feather and winding the clock every Sunday afternoon.
I have seen many Ansonia clocks on this site, but have never seen one with this exact statue. Does anyone know how many of these clocks were produced? Does this clock have a specific name?
I do not find this clock in my references, but I do find the statuette. It was referred to as Ansonia's No. 1028 "Queen". The separate figures or statuettes came in a variety of sizes and the smaller ones are referred to as "Clock Toppers".
I'm pretty sure that this Figure clock would be referred to as "Queen". Probably circa 1894-1904
This is not to be confused with Ansonia's wood, cased high quality wall clocks named after specific queens, Queen Anne...Queen Elizabeth...Queen Jane...
It looks like the clock tower may be missing its Urn. Does it look like something was attached to the top of the tower? If so, there were several different styles of Urns and without a catalog illustration or another example, it's not possible to know for sure what would be an appropriate replacement. Most likely, it would have looked like the one on this Newton: http://p2.la-img.com/289/11793/3092466_1_l.jpg. The finish appears original and the porcelain dial, if original, appears to be in very good condition with a possible small hairline crack through "II". I couldn't tell you how many were made, but I'm not finding any other examples online so it's definitely not common.
There are some condition issues but if everything is original this would be a very desirable clock for Ansonia collectors.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards
One other thing that makes your clock a little more unusual is the use of steel plates for the movement. Ansonia started making clocks as a way to increase demand for their brass.
Thanks for the detailed information. From what I know, the clock has all it's original parts and finish. I posted another picture that displays the top of the clock. You can see some slight discoloration on the top seam. But, it doesn't appear that a Urn was there at one time.
Thanks
Normally, the urn base is a separate casting that is soldered to the top of the tower. There is also a hole drilled through the tower top for a bolt. I agree with you that it doesn't appear that your clock ever had one. I've never seen an Ansonia Figure Clock quite like this one. It's very unusual and has me wondering if it wasn't custom ordered from the factory.
I've been told my great grandfather bought this clock new. It's very possible he had it custom ordered. Your comments have been very helpful, Thank You.
You're very welcome. Thanks for sharing this unique and beautiful part of your family's history with us.
So pleased to see your photos! I have this same clock (it belonged to my parents) and I have been searching unsuccessfully for quite some time for information about it - until now. Mine never had an urn either. The figure, the base, and the clock details on mine are exactly the same as yours. So there are at least two of them! I've always loved this clock (my mother did too) so it is nice to see that someone else has one and loves it too. Thanks for sharing your photos.
That's good to know there's at least another clock out there that's the same. Like you, I've searched many websites for months and never came across one exactly like this clock.
I've been collecting for years now. Ansonia is one of my favorite manufacturers and I have access to very good reference materials. References which draw from the author's extensive personal experiences, Ansonia Catalogs, well established clock auction houses, museums, clock collector organizations and prominent private collections for the information they publish. I've not seen this clock before.
Whether it was generally available to the public or a special order/offering from Ansonia, I think we can agree that this "Queen", (assuming that is the name of this clock it was Ansonia's convention to name the clock after the statue it featured) is not a common model or style from Ansonia's collection of figure clocks.
Inquiring Collector - I'm glad to see that there are at least two of these clocks as well. Ours reigned over my parents home from their mantel for 40+ years. I hope that you and I get to enjoy them for as long!
Thank you Bruce 99 for sharing your insight and experience. I noticed the similarity in the bases of the Queen clock pictures (and mine) and the Newton clock. Is it possible that they were from the same series or the same time period?
That's a good question MVT. I think this clock would probably be circa 1894 - 1901.
The base and clock tower could be the most visually distinctive feature of an Ansonia figural clock
"Siren" (circa 1904) and "Fantasy" (circa 1894) both featured the same statuette.
http://www.antiqueansoniaclocks.com/Ansonia-Model-0877.php
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/ansonia-fantasy-clock,-1-c-028d98385e
The same thing with "Mercury" (circa 1894) and "Hermes"
(circa 1904).
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/ansonia-mercury-clock,-7-c-203df5fa91
http://www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com/manufmodelshow.php?manufacturer=Ansonia&model=Hermes&ordertype=DESC
The bases like the one on this clock tended to be from the late 1800's, while the more ornate bases and towers with their integrated flowing designs tended to be from the early 1900's.
Regardless of the particular style of base and clock tower, this clock is very distinctive in that the tower has no top decorative feature. No urn, no "crest" nothing. The open escapement's white porcelain dial is the dominent feature that counter-balances the statuette. Even though the statuette was definitely called "Queen" after additional thought I kind of doubt that Ansonia called this clock "Queen". As previously mentioned, they made a whole series of high-end Wall Clocks named after Queens, but who knows? If I ever see this clock in a catalog or reference book I will have no trouble recognizing it and will try to find this post to share any new information that I come across.
Thank you, Bruce 99! We appreciate all of the information that you have shared and we'd love to hear from you!
I have inherited this same clock, have never been able to find very much info on it. Was wondering the value to insure at. It is in good condition needs to be cleaned but does work