Ansonia “Swinging Arm” Clocks
Made in the 1880′s by Ansonia Clock Co. of New York, these distinctive clocks consisted of a classical female metal figure holding aloft a clock (usually of ball-form, but occasionally having a brass barrel-form) with a metal swinging pendulum and a brass, spring-driven, eight-day movement. These clocks were originally purchased by jewelry stores as window displays to attract the attention of potential customers and were made in a series of figural styles, including “Arcadia” (nude, with flowers)”, “Fortuna” (with cherub), “Gloria (winged)” and “Juno” (holding a small baton). The swinging arm design concept was successful and imitated by other clockmakers, especially the French.