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CARVED WALNUT TALL CASE ASTRONOMICAL REGULATOR CLOCK MADE FOR J.S.

Offered by: Kelly Kinzle Antiques

Description
Movement likely George Jones, New York, Manufactured for J.S. Townsend of Chicago, Illinois
Case attributed to New York
Walnut, horn
Circa 1880
Height: 126 inches. W: 42”; D: 18”

Provenance:
Dr. Moses B. Alter and Floy Gertrude (Peacock) Alter, to their daughter;
Gertrude (Alter) Kannal and her husband Harvey Kannal, to their daughter;
Gwendolyn (Kannal) Meyers and her husband Floyd Meyers, to their daughter;
Gwen (Meyers) Potter and her husband John Douglas Potter, Rennselaer, Indiana, to their son, the present owner.

An astronomical regulator movement with maintaining power and leveling adjustments on the top of the deadbeat escapement. The movement front and back plates retain their original engine turning and finish.

The monumental Renaissance Revival walnut case with a showstopping pediment with a carved stag head with real horns. Above the stag is a carved bust of a woman and flanking the stag are two carved angels. Deep cove and dentil molding frame the different sections of the case which breaks down in to six pieces. The entire case is heavily decorated with various Revival elements.

Both the movement and the case reflect the showmanship of the owner, J.S. Townsend (1854-1916) who operated an jewelry and watch store in Chicago catering to the multitude of railwaymen who passed through the city. Born in England, he immigrated to Chicago where he became a jeweler in 1877 and a railroad time inspector for 6 railroads. This clock overlooked a shop described as a 25 x 70 foot store well-equipped with a heavy and A1 stock constantly carried, embracing fine silver and gold watches of all kinds, clocks of unique and artistic design, superb jewelry in great variety …solid and plated silver … exquisite bronze articles , art novelties, bric-a-brac, spectacles and optical goods while ten skillful and experienced workmen are employed.

Excellent condition.