-40%
Antique FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, LONG ISLAND, NY Ship's Bell Clock DIORAMA
$ 1848
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Description
This item is a unique antique folk art banjo clock made by hand from various parts and hand painted. The top part is a heavy brass Waterbury ship's bell #10 clock. The middle is an unknown maker thermometer in a gold leaf shadow box. Below that is a hand painted diorama of the Fire Island, NY lighthouse with sailboat on the sea beyond. The bottom has working barometer with English lettering made in Germany. Quite unusual and important early 20th century folk art piece. It was over painted with a thick low luster black paint. It is 26 inches high and about 9 inches at the widest. The diorama box has a hand engraved title on the lower brass frame element. It is definitely the Fire Island Light (rebuilt in 1858 and the tallest on long Island).The clock is not working but I guarantee it is complete and intact and just needs to be cleaned and adjusted. I looked inside and see the inside has some oil residue most likely by someone trying to keep it working without paying to be cleaned. It was also over wound but the ship's bell strike is still working. But not the time. Looks like the the escapement balance spring might be cocked but it looks intact. The clock strike is good and in time with the face hands.
It is heavy too at about 20 pounds I guess due to the heavy brass clock. There is a some minor loss to the painted surface but not bad.
If you want to collect Fire Island folk art this is your chance as I know there is not much available or made. I had a Fire Island Fire Marshall badge from the 40's and it sold within hours some time ago on ebay.