$50,000 Ansonia longcase clock leads antique timepiece collection

James D Julia are shaping up to present a particularly impressive collection of antiques in a four day sale in Maine on August 23.

It is a highly diverse sale. There are selections from the private collection of Dorothy-Lee Jones including superb English & Continental porcelain & Oriental porcelain & accessories. This is followed by an important offering of Chinese items from the Qing Dynasty relating to the Royal family.

 Outstanding folk art includes weathervanes and an important Maine album quilt and a collection of 750 American & European fine art & bronzes, furniture and silver will also be offered.

But the most exciting section must be the lifetime clock collection of Dr Charles Bradley, of Lubbock, Texas. Included in the collection are over 150 wall and shelf clocks.

Perhaps the pick of these is a monumental American carved walnut floor-standing longcase regulator no. 8. Crafted around 1878-1883 in New York, it has been attributed to George A. Jones & Co. or Ansonia Clock Co.

The case features an ornately carved cresting surmounted by a carved female head of the huntress Diana over a deer head with displayed antlers, flanked by carved lion's heads.

Charles Bradley's Ansonia/George Jones antique longcase clock
Charles Bradley's Ansonia/George Jones antique longcase clock

An attractive long glass panelled door runs down the throat, whilst the backboard is mirrored.

The moulded box base centres on a carved ferret's head on a burled panel, which in turn is mounted on a moulded plinth. The case is decorated overall with burled panels and carved elements.

Inside the timepiece is no less impressive, offering a precision regulator with a silvered 17" astronomical dial, a time only movement driven by a single weight and fitted with a three jar compensated pendulum.

In very good overall condition with a re-silvered dial and probably an associated three jar pendulum, the beat scale is absent but the case has been professionally cleaned and repolished. It is expected to sell for $40,000-50,000.

Other highlights include a variety of Seth Thomas pieces, including a rare Seth Thomas regulator #19 Santa Fe Railway system regulator clock from circa 1909.

The nicely carved large oak case presents a shell crest, whilst the canted corners have engaged columns and the capitols and bases are carved with leafy sprays. The pediment is ogee moulded, with pendant finials.

Gold gilt letters mark the glass door with "Santa Fe Route". The 12" painted "Montgomery" style dial is signed "Santa Fe Railway System, Standard Dial" and the sweep seconds give an elegant appearance. This is expected to achieve $30,000-35,000.

Collectors interested in antique furniture and furnishings will want to take a look at this antique roulette table, with a remarkable history, or possibly this George III period mahogany and satinwood cabinet.

 

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