Posted 8 years ago
TurdFerguson
(19 items)
I know for fact this item is has been in my wifes family for well over 80 years- She just aquired it from her deceased 80 year old father who got it from his mother. I imagine her grandmother was original owner. I do not see it marked Bonn or anything other than serial markings- the clock movement and dial is stamped Ansonia- did someone other than Bonn paint some of these? there are some stamped numbers? In the close up image. I understand there are some fakes but probably not as old as this item has been in the family. It is missing the finial for the top- still hoping it appears! I am looking to find a top for it and have no idea what kind of price I should expect to pay. Not looking to sell it, just restore as close as possible for display. No cracks/repairs anywhere on it that I can see. I have yet to see what these sell for / can not find one that shows SOLD PRICE unless you join some website. I did find a broken ansonia clock on auction site that sold for about 600. This one was also missing the pendulum which I have found a cloisonne mercury one on a auction site which should arrive today- I know not original but I like the colors! Thanks for any input- Turd
HI
Why you think it is fake? You have +80 years provenance.
Very nice clock with skeleton movement and ceramics decoration.
I'll bet that there is serials somewhere in movement. I like it.
I for sure know its age- I was thinking this was ROYAL BONN ANSONIA- I think this style was the top of the line- but it bears no royal bonn marking on bottom- see this page - http://www.clockguy.com/SiteRelated/SiteReferencePages/RoyalBonnHistory.html
the one I have may be a lesser version painted by some other company.
Looks genuine to me. These Ansonia Crystal Regulators 1 through 8 do have Royal Bonn porcelain, but not the "typical" Royal Bonn Markings. The imprint and markings on the bottom do attest to this. Here's a link to one in mint original condition which auctioned for $1,200 in March of 2015:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/36725182_ansonia-porcelain-crystal-regulator-no-1
Hope that helps a little. Thanks for sharing
Hey TurdFerguson, you still here? :)
YES- I am still here! I have checked the box to get email alerts when someone responds in the future. Thanks Bruce for info- I know have this clock keeping great time- I have a faux mercury pendulum on it now but have a real closionne style one I want to add to it if I can find a 5 inch threaded round pendulum rod with the "loop" at the top of it- THe rod on the real mercury one has the french stylle double hook at the top---- I see on on EBAY for $10- may go that route.
Also- any idea/chance? of where to find a correct finial for this thing? I am also looking for a brass urn or something that may complete the look. It currently has a simple lamp style finial on it.
These are not common clocks so I don't know where you might find a replacement finial for one. You might try looking through antique malls/shops. You may find something similar that could be made to work but I'm pretty sure you won't find one to match the original color and finish. Look for Pottery Workshops or businesses. Teachers or shop owners can probably get you going in the right direction. If you want to maintain the value of the clock, you should try to stay as original as possible. If you replace the pendulum, just be sure to keep the original one in a safe place. Parts that get separated from a clock are often lost, especially if the clock gets passed down or otherwise changes hands. Hope that helps solve your mystery. If so, please indicate "Mystery Solved" in your listing. If not, ask away!
Bruce- sadly this came without the original pendulum- what would have been the correct one? The faux mercury style I assume- The one I purchased was cloisonne enameled with real mercury for a hundred $$- saw one like it go for 263$ a few weeks earlier. The one I have is either missing the outer layer of glass or possible did not have one- I imagine the outer layer was broken- THey seem to be sealed with either a cork or wax? Not sure - I am scared to take apart! Maybe I will take photos and post that item for us to review. Thanks again- ANy idea what a "original faux mercury pendulum of a Ansonia Regulator" is worth?
Hey TF, I've seen two styles of pendulums with these Porcelain Ansonia #? Crystal Regulators. The central rod measures around 4 7/8" and is hung on the pendulum rod (which is hooked) with an "eye". Some mercury pendulums found on Seth Thomas Clocks and French Crystal Regulators have the hook on the pendulum rod instead. The Mercury Vial Carriage measures 3 1/4" by 2 1/4" and the mercury is simulated, not real. I mentioned two styles, one is fairly ornate while the other is pretty standard in appearance. Either one would be appropriate to this model. They weigh around 4 1/2 Ounces.
You can view the general appearance of the standard pendulum in the link I provided earlier in your post. Here is a link showing the more ornate Ansonia Pendulum: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/36135977_ansonia-china-crystal-regulator
You can sometimes find the ornate pendulums on eBay usually going for $75+
You can usually find listings for "standard" (or plain) examples.
Here's a link to eBay "Sold" listings for Mercury Pendulums: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mercury+pendulum&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=17331-2501&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&_salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&LH_Complete=1
I would definitely stay away from examples containing real mercury vials. Mostly because they were not used by Ansonia for these models and Mercury is considered hazardous for good reasons.
Good luck with your restoration. Please let us know how you approach the project. It's a beautiful heirloom and is certainly worth the effort I think.
Correction, I mentioned "Pendulum Rod" several times and just made things a little confusing I think. These Mercury Pendulums hang on Suspension Springs. The two basic configurations for mantel clocks have a double hook or an "eye" (hole) on the Pendulum Rod. The corresponding suspension spring has a pin (for the double hook on the pendulum rod) or a hook (for the eye on the pendulum rod). All Ansonia Crystal Regulators I've seen have the Eye on the top of the Pendulum Rod. I hope that makes things a little clearer.
I think I will be on the look out for a original one in the $75 range that I could use the "rod" also on the closionne mercury enamel one I purchased- I see some "entire clock and all" ansonia crystal regulators go for under 130- may just be on the lookout for that route also.
woot woot- Wifes step mother found the original pendulum while cleaning out a closet! Seems to have a LOT of oxidation or crap on it- I guess I gotta google something to clean it off.... Glad to have original! I had already purchased one week before she gave us the news!