Asa Munger, Clockmaker
A jeweler and entrepreneur in Auburn, New York, Munger was well known for his eight day clocks, circa 1830. Unlike many clockmakers of his period, Munger is known to have produced both the works and the cases for many of his clocks.
One of Munger’s rare “stovepipe” eight-day clocks sold for $52,500 at the 1 June 2000 auction of the Peter Zaharis clock collection by Cottone’s in Mt. Morris, New York. The rare and monumental bow-front clock had tublular columns housed in a metal stovepipe and carry its driveweights, thus providing the clock’s fanciful name. The clock also exhibited its original surfaces, carved paw feet (front and back) and twin pillars decorated with gilt stencil work and hand-painted vignettes of a fisherman and clipper ship. The figured mahogany bowed door, opens to reveal a pristine wallpaper background and a flying eagle pendulum, a Munger trademark.