Fine American Gilt and Églomisé Girandole Clock, After Lemuel Curtis

Fine American Gilt and Églomisé Girandole Clock, After Lemuel Curtis

20th century
Dial inscribed “L. Curtis Patent”
Reverse-painted lower tablet depicting “Perry’s Victory”
Approximately 45 inches high

The form derives directly from the rare girandole clocks made by Lemuel Curtis (1790–1857) in Massachusetts in the early nineteenth century. Original Curtis examples are regarded as among the most accomplished American wall clocks of the Federal period. A documented original Curtis girandole also measures about 45 inches, essentially the same scale as yours.

Why this reproduction is especially good

The first thing that stands out is that this is a full-scale reproduction, rather than a reduced commercial interpretation. At roughly 45 inches, its proportions closely follow the original Curtis format.

The construction and decorative program are ambitious:

• a large carved and gilded American eagle finial

• circular dial surrounded by raised gilt balls

• characteristic openwork brass sidearms

• elaborate Curtis-style pierced hands

• bowed or convex reverse-painted throat and lower glasses

• richly modeled gilt acanthus pendant

• a highly detailed Perry’s Victory naval tablet.

That combination closely follows the visual vocabulary of authentic Curtis girandoles. Specialist descriptions of original examples specifically note the gilt eagle, ball-decorated bezels, brass standards, reverse-painted convex glass and naval imagery.

This clock therefore succeeds as a reproduction because it does not merely copy the silhouette—it attempts to reproduce the cabinetmaking, gilding, ornamental glass painting and metalwork that make the original form important.

The Perry’s Victory tablet

The lower tablet is one of the strongest features.

It depicts Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory at the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, with the American fleet beneath the eagle and shield. The banner incorporates Perry’s famous report:

“We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

Perry’s Victory was used on period Curtis girandoles, so the subject is historically appropriate rather than an arbitrary modern embellishment.

The floral border surrounding the naval scene is also very well executed visually. Its dark greens, cream foliage and red flowers create the deep jewel-like effect associated with high-quality reverse-painted clock glasses.

The throat glass

The narrow throat panel is unusually elaborate.

It combines floral ornament, foliage and large gilded scrollwork against a dark ground. The visual effect is particularly successful because the decoration continues the palette of the lower tablet while contrasting with the bright gilded frame.

On originals, Curtis used several different decorative schemes, including thermometer-mounted throat glasses. Later high-quality reproduction makers also produced multiple variants rather than copying one glass design exclusively.

The eagle and gilding

The eagle has good sculptural presence and is proportionally convincing.

The feather carving is deeply modeled rather than simply stamped or molded flat, and the bird is large enough to balance the substantial lower circular tablet. The lower carved foliate bracket is equally important visually.

This is one of the areas separating serious handcrafted Curtis reproductions from inexpensive commercial copies.

The gilding is traditional, bright and uniform.