Late 19th century American “steeple” or Gothic cottage mantel clock, fitted with a brass movement by the Waterbury Clock Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, and retailed by H. James, Watch and Clock Maker, 86 High Street, Godalming.
The painted dial is signed:
H. James Godalming
The interior retains the original printed Waterbury paper label:
Waterbury Clock Company, Waterbury, Conn. Manufacturers of Eight Day and Thirty Hour Brass Clocks Time Pieces and Regulators
The case is of classic Gothic steeple form with pointed arch pediment and turned finials, veneered (likely walnut or rosewood veneer over softwood), with glazed door and a blue lower glass panel decorated with a floral transfer design. Height 39cm.
This is a typical example of late 19th century American export clocks supplied to British retailers, who applied their own name to the dial while fitting imported movements. H. James appears to have operated as a watch and clock maker in Godalming in the late Victorian period.
A good decorative and historically representative example of the Anglo-American clock trade of the 1880s–1890s.
Condition
🌿 Height: 39cm 🌿 Pendulum missing 🌿 One hand missing 🌿 Dial heavily crazed with age-related cracking 🌿 Movement present and partially responsive — when flicked, the pendulum arm engages briefly 🌿 Running order not tested; requires full service 🌿 Case with age-related wear, scuffs and minor veneer loss consistent with period
Sold as a restoration or decorative piece.
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