Antique Washington Mantel Clock

This Washington Mantel Clock was manufactured in France. Here is some commentary about these clocks from the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust.

No less inventive or diverse, the twenty-one mantel clocks at Classical American Homes range in date from 1800 to 1840 and in terms of their design and subject matter can be divided into four broad thematic categories: ancient Greek mythology, classical architecture, scenes from everyday life in the early nineteenth century, and allegories in which the sculptural figures on the clocks are emblematic of certain abstract concepts, such as the fleeting nature of beauty and youth, patriotism, and glory. The two Washington clocks at Classical American Homes (figures 1 and 2) fall squarely within this final category.

These Washington clocks belong to a larger group of approximately two dozen closely related examples, two-thirds of which measure approximately 19-1/2 inches tall and the remainder reduced in height by about 4 inches to make them more affordable. Products of a sophisticated clock-making industry in Paris that required the talents of sculptors, founders, clockmakers and the tradesmen/designers who organized their manufacture and sale, these foreign-made clocks are nonetheless iconic and among the most prized possessions of American museums and collectors. Examples of the more desirable taller clocks like the two at Classical American Homes can be found in the permanent collections of the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Winterthur Museum, The White House, and the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the Department of State. Despite their rarity and value, Dick Jenrette has managed to acquire not only these two ormolu Washington clocks but a third as well, which he purchased for the Americana collection at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. We call that going for the gold. 

We saw this example at the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Maryland. This clock is about ten inches high.