Antique Victorian William Gilbert Oak Gingerbread Uranium Parlor Mantel Clock 24"

Description

Late 19th - early 20th century William L. Gilbert key wound, 8 day, chiming gingerbread style mantel clock. Ornate oak case with a press carved ivy design and beaded trim; gold reverse painted glass front featuring a neoclassical vase and birds on a branch. White face with black metal hands, Roman numerals and brass frame. Ornate floral / foliate brass pendulum. Includes key.

"William L. Gilbert was born in 1806 in Northfield, CT (a village of Litchfield) and became interested in the booming clockmaking business at Bristol in 1828. In that year he and his brother–in–law George Marsh purchased a clock factory and formed the firm Marsh, Gilbert & Co. In about 1835-1837 Gilbert was joined by John Birge, forming Birge,Gilbert & Company. The company name continued to change. Clockmakers Zelotas Grant, and Chauncey and Noble Jerome became partners with Gilbert from 1839-1840 to create Jerome's inexpensive 30 hour brass movement clocks under the name Jerome, Grant, Gilbert & Company. In 1840-1841 Gilbert moved to Winsted, a village within Winchester, CT and with two partners - Lucius Clarke and Ezra Baldwin - bought the old Riley Whiting clock factory. They formed the firm Clarke, Gilbert & Co. and from 1841-1845 produced the 30 hour brass weight clock. In 1845 William Lewis Gilbert purchased Clarke's share in the company and the firm was renamed Wm. L. Gilbert & Co. Three years later, in 1848, Clarke bought his shares back - the firm became Gilbert & Clarke. The partnership lasted until 1851. The company name then became W. L. Gilbert & Company until 1866, when the Gilbert Manufacturing Company was established. In 1871 the major factory building was destroyed by fire and the company was dissolved. The William L. Gilbert Clock Co. was formed in 1871 but did not commence business until 1873. Their first catalog was issued in 1875, showing 37 models. Their 1881 catalog shows 162 clock models, of which 112 were of their own manufacture. In the latter part of the 19th century and early twentieth century, Gilbert offered most of the popular clock styles. Gilbert died in 1890, but the company name was retained for sixty-three years. In 1930 A/C electric clocks were put on the market. About 1940 the production of wooden cased clocks and 8–day pendulum movements ceased. In 1957 the firm became the General–Gilbert Corporation, and in 1964 the clockmaking division was sold to Spartus Corporation." (Source: American Silversmiths / Clock History / The Old Timey)

Condition

Good Overall - gentle wear; good working condition

Dimensions

14.25" x 4" x 24" (Width x Depth x Height)