Ansonia Figure Or Statue Clocks

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Ansonia Figure Or Statue Clocks  

Historical Background and Development

In 1877 the clock company purchased a factory in New York, and moved most of its production there after being spun off from the brass company. Henry J. Davies of Brooklyn, himself a clockmaker, inventor and case designer, joined the newly reconstituted company as one of its founders. As President, he is thought to have been largely responsible for the figurine clocks, swing clocks and other unusual and desirable novelties for which the Ansonia firm became known.

Henry J. Davies was the creative force behind Ansonia's most memorable designs, transforming the company from a regional manufacturer into a producer of decorative novelty clocks that remain highly collectible today.

Production Period

Ansonia figure clocks were primarily produced from approximately 1880-1920, with peak production during the 1890s-1910s.

This clock was made as early as the 1880's and as late as the 1910's or so.

Construction and Materials

Spelter Metal Construction

These are usually cast of spelter metal, mostly zinc.

Spelter characteristics:

• Zinc alloy (sometimes with small amounts of lead or other metals)
• Less expensive than bronze but allows fine detail
• Lighter weight than solid bronze
• More brittle and subject to damage than bronze

Finish and Coating

There are small places where the "brass" coating is gone, showing the gray spelter below.

Figure clocks typically featured:

• Bronzed finish - A coating applied to look like bronze
• Gilt finish - Gold-colored coating
• Patinated finishes - Various color treatments
• Polychrome details - Painted accents on faces, clothing, etc.

Base Construction

Bases were typically made of:

• Black enameled iron or cast metal - Most common
• Black slate or marble - Higher-end models
• Black timber - Some models
• Decorative metal feet - Often claw feet, lion paws, or ornamental designs

Size and Dimensions

22"h x 19.5"w x 8.5"d (typical figural clock dimensions)

The clock is about 18 inches X 14 inches X 7 1/2 inches.

General size range:

• Height: 14-24 inches (most common range)
• Width: 12-20 inches (depending on figure arrangement)
• Depth: 7-10 inches

Clock Dial and Hands

Dial Specifications

4-inch porcelain dial with Roman numerals and stamped steel hands.

The 6-inch dial is paper and applied to a tin pan. It is original to this clock and is framed by a decorative "French Sash" or bezel highlighted with green painted details.

Typical dial features:

• Porcelain dials (white, most common on figure clocks)
• Paper dials (on less expensive models)
• Roman numerals (standard)
• Decorative bezels with gilt or painted details
• Dial sizes: 4-6 inches diameter

Hands

• Stamped steel hands
• Often ornate, fancy designs
• Spade or serpentine patterns common

Movement Characteristics

Standard Movement Type

8-day movement brass with Brocot escapement.

8 day time and strike movement with open escapement.

Typical features:

• 8-day spring-driven movement
• Time and strike (hour and half-hour)
• Brocot or visible escapement (many models)
• Wire gong or bell strike
• Brass construction
• Two winding arbors on dial face

Movement Markings

As to the June 1891 date, that's just the patent date for the movement. Ansonia used this movement for a long time, up into the 1920's.

Common patent dates: June 1881, June 1891

Figure Subjects and Themes

Classical and Mythological Figures

• Mercury/Hermes - Roman god with winged helmet
• Perseus - Greek hero
• Juno - Roman goddess
• Classical maidens in Grecian dress

Historical and Literary Figures

Eight day Ansonia Shakespeare figural mantel clock.

• Shakespeare - Popular model with the bard as central figure
• Elizabethan period figures - Musketeers, cavaliers
• "The Combatants" - Dual figure fighting scene

Musical and Artistic Themes

Bronze Ansonia "The Composer" figural mantel clock, with a seated figure surmounted on a Rococo style base.

• The Composer - Seated figure with musical theme
• Maidens with harps or lyres
• Classical musicians

Other Popular Subjects

• Hunters with rifles
• Cherubs/putti - Winged baby angels
• Female busts with wings (caryatids)
• Classical women in various poses

Named Figure Clock Models

Known model names include:

• "Shakespeare" - Featuring the playwright
• "The Composer" - Seated musical figure
• "The Combatants" - Fighting figures
• "Mercury" - Winged messenger god
• "Perseus" - Greek hero
• "MacBeth" - Literary figure
• "Ulysses" - Greek hero
• "Juno" - Often in swing clock configuration
• "Pompeii" - Classical theme

Design Characteristics

Case Style Elements

Figural mantel clock executed in bronze, the clock with Roman dial within a gilt and foliate banded body, flanked by a standing maiden in Grecian dress with a gilt harp, the whole on a incised black enameled base.

Rococo style base.

Typical features:

• Ornate scrollwork and foliate decoration
• Rococo or Baroque styling
• Incised decorative patterns on base
• Architectural elements (columns, pediments)
• Symmetrical or asymmetrical figure placement

Figure Positioning

• Single central figure - Clock behind or beside
• Flanking figures - Clock in center, figures on sides
• Double figures - "The Combatants" style
• Figure as support - Statue holding or supporting clock

Collecting and Value Factors

Desirability Factors

Great clock though. I have two figure clocks and I appreciate them a lot.

What makes figure clocks collectible:

• Subject matter - Some figures more desirable than others
• Condition of finish - Original bronzing highly valued
• Figure completeness - Missing swords, weapons, or accessories reduce value
• Working movement - Especially with visible escapement
• Original parts - Pendulum, key, figure elements

Condition Issues

Condition good to fair, working order, some losses to one sword.

Condition, good to fair, some wear, needs a service.

Common problems:

• Finish wear - Bronzing rubbed off showing gray spelter
• Breaks in spelter - Brittle material prone to cracking
• Missing accessories - Swords, spears, instruments
• Dust accumulation - In crevices and details
• Base damage - Chips in slate/marble, enamel loss

Restoration Challenges

These clocks are difficult to clean up. Dust and dirt get worked into all the tiny crevasses. And, you will have to take all the pieces apart at the start, to do a decent job. It's best to just touch up the base, unless it's in really bad shape.

Rub-n-buff is your friend.

Restoration requires:

• Careful disassembly
• Cleaning of intricate details
• Touch-up work with products like Rub-n-Buff
• Avoiding over-restoration (originality valued)

Market Values

Figure clocks vary widely in value based on model, condition, and rarity. They remain among the most visually impressive and collectible Ansonia clocks, with pristine examples commanding premium prices.

Special Variations: Swing Clocks

Ansonia "Juno" figural mystery swing clock.

Some figure clocks incorporated "mystery" swing mechanisms where a figure (often a maiden) appears to swing a pendulum, creating an illusion of perpetual motion. These are particularly sought after by collectors.

Summary

Ansonia figure clocks represent the pinnacle of Victorian decorative clockmaking, combining functional 8-day movements with elaborate spelter figurines finished to resemble bronze. Created under the direction of Henry J. Davies from the 1880s-1920s, these clocks featured classical, historical, and literary figures on ornate bases with visible Brocot escapements and quality movements. Characterized by their spelter construction with bronzed or gilt finishes, porcelain dials, substantial size (typically 14-24 inches tall), and subjects ranging from Shakespeare to Mercury, they remain highly collectible today despite challenges with finish preservation and the brittle nature of spelter metal.