Clock

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Clock

Entry/Object ID

PM.72.1

Description

Shelf clock made up of three units: 1) Disc (6 3/4" d.) moves center of face with pierced thin rectangles (for minutes); in area beneath numerals are 4 evenly spaced painted cherub heads with small white wings; surrounded by billowing clouds which spread between numerals; scattered small gilded stars also within this area; center has traces of blue paint; at outer edge is small brass human hand, pointing to hours, brass or iron for winding. 2) Circular black band 1 1/2" wide with gilded Roman numerals for hours and gilded halfway between each number. Cut, shaped and painted flat frame surrounds face; painted with foliate on black ground; scrolls at outer edges, and, above center a seated, slightly-draped cherub left hand on hour glass, right elbow resting on a skull; three small flowers on straight stem above cherub; back of this frame has dark red ground, elaborate foliate scrolls similar to front; top center has human face with top of scrolls suggesting open mouth. 3) Works are contained in enclosed section of same material made of one rectilinear cube and two triangles. This section also decorated with same red ground and foliate scrolls, the center area and top each with a large flower, center area has door with two small brass hinges and a small brass knob, bottom of side edges held together with 3/8" metal band overlapping from base lower side edge similarly fastened with strip overlapping from side front; decoration cleverly imitates these edges as painted border around other panels; inside tiny pendulum with weight; spring driven steel works.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Notes

Dates: 1600 - 1699 Date made: r. 1600 - 1699

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

14 in

Width

9-3/4 in

Depth

3-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 14 x 9 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. (35.6 x 24.8 x 9.5 cm)

Material

Steel, Iron, brass

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Paint slightly flaking throughout; missing hands; painting missing on back side at top finial, on upper proper right side and at edges; gouge on trim along bottom edge of proper right side; inside door iron is rusted and pitted; paint discolored a dull color on top and sides of clock mechanism box on back side; pendulum weight replaced.

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Although the Cross-Section catalog describes the motif on this clock simply as a cherub, it is more accurate to say the image is a personification of time, with the young classical figure holding a hourglass and resting on a skull, more of a warning or visual message about the passage of time, wquite appropriate for a clock face [Jessa J. Krick, Collections Manager, 5/4/2016].

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Philipsburg Manor, Parlor