c.1931 American Mystery Turtle Clock.
Miscellaneous /
Novelty
Inv. #: g159
Maker: Eleder-Hickok Company - silver tray and case Chelsea Clock Co. - clock movement
Circa: 1931
Size: 5.75" high
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An extremely rare Early-Twentieth century marble, silver and enameled mystery turtle clock by the silversmiths Eleder-Hickok Co. and the clockmakers Chelsea Clock Co.
Case
The twelve-sided green variegated marble case has a gilt-bronze plate with a winding aperture above and a silver plate, stamped 'sterling', recessed in the base with a shutter to access the fast/slow.
Dial
The engraved silver tray has three polychrome enamel frogs around the edge and a polychrome marlin atop a spray of water in the center. It also has a rope-turned outside edge, lily-pads on the bottom, an engraved minutes chapter and raised black enameled Roman numerals separated by a progression of ships that depict the evolution of shipping from the single rowboat to a vintage cruise liner. It is stamped on the underside, 'L, Sterling, 05389'. When filled with water a floating carved turtle mysteriously points to the time.
Movement
The time-only eight-day movement is mounted horizontally in the base, has the time-set out the side, is wound through the top and is adjusted for fast/slow out the bottom. It is signed 'Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, USA', is numbered '182,224' and has a screwed lever balance mounted to a sub-plate. Instead of Chelsea's normal under dial gear work the motion work ends in a large circular magnet with a gap in the circumference. The turtle contains a strip of metal that always positions it in the opening and consequently to the time.
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