RARE WALTHAM GIRANDOLE SERIAL #1

“The most beautiful of all American clocks”

Last week, the consignor of our Waltham Girandole clock, called to point out that his clock was the first Girandole made by the Waltham Company. This was just confirmed with the discovery of the stamped serial # 1 on the case in at least four places, under the throat and on the throat. The Waltham Clock Company, associated throughout its corporate life with the better-known Waltham Watch Company, made relatively few clocks between 1897, when they were first established, and the 1930s when, after some name changes, they dissolved.

The Girandole clock design (Lemuel Curtis has been credited for making the first) has been copied over and over ever since they first appeared in the 1820s. Waltham tackled making this complex clock with high expectations, yet it is believed that Waltham made fewer than 50 of these Girandoles altogether. We know of the number 21 as the highest number.

Waltham produced a variety of highly decorative clocks that have become recognized as true hand craftsmanship more than manufactured timepieces. Although best known for their Hall clocks with tubular chimes (many of which we now know were obtained through Walter Durfee, the patentee of the tube chimes), Waltham also made a line of large wall regulators (we know of four different models). Also were reproductions of the Simon Willard banjos (we have one in our sale, lots # 352), smaller weight driven wall regulators including two marble front models, others styled after Howard Clock Company’s classic rosewood cased wall regulators, and even mantel clocks and ships clocks.

The word “Girandole” may come from the Italian “girandola” who’s archaic meaning is something like “around and around” or “pinwheel”, perhaps a fitting description for the swirl-like design and reflective qualities of the accouterments of this wall clock.

The Girandole has been described by some scholars as the most beautiful of all American clocks.

Traditionally the Waltham Girandole timepieces have brought the most money over other fine models made by Walter Durfee, Elmer Stennes, John Burleigh, Foster Campos and the like. The condition of our example is excellent, and there just are no restorations or replacements that we can see, although we do not promise the original key.

Having the opportunity to bid on this clock in this excellent condition is about as rare as the clock itself.