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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Ship's bell clock

Chelsea Ship's Bell clock on modern mahogany mantle mount

Partially verified

This 20th-century marine-style mantel clock by the Chelsea Clock Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, features a 6-inch silvered dial with black Arabic numerals and markings. Housed in a brass casement with a screw-off face, the overall diameter measures 7 1/4 inches (18.4 cm). The dial is signed 'Chelsea/Ship's Bell' below the center and is fitted with dual winding arbors for the movement and the ship's strike mechanism, alongside a regulating slot near the 9 to 10 o'clock position. The clock is presented mounted on a modern dark-stained mahogany mantel base.

Chelsea Ship's Bell brass clock set within a modern mahogany mantel mount
Chelsea Ship's Bell brass clock set within a modern mahogany mantel mount — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Ship's bell clock
Maker / attribution
Chelsea Clock Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
487
Source-reported date
20th century
Country
United States

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identity and Origin

The auction source describes this clock as a Chelsea "Ship's Bell" timepiece from "Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass.", attributed to the "20th century." It has an overall diameter catalogued at "7-1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) overall diameter."

The clock is catalogued as "Set in modern mahogany mantle mounts." The base provides a freestanding mount for the cylindrical brass drum clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass., 20th century”
  • “7-1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) overall diameter.”
  • “Set in modern mahogany mantle mounts.”

Case Construction and Presentation

The casing is described in the auction text as having a "brass casement and screw off face." Direct visual observation records a polished brass cylindrical drum case mounted on a dark stepped mahogany plinth with an arched profile.

The stepped wooden plinth functions as an auxiliary mount, as noted in the listing's description of "modern mahogany mantle mounts."

Evidence for this section
  • “brass casement and screw off face”
  • “Polished brass cylindrical drum case mounted on a dark stepped mahogany plinth with an arched profile.”
  • “Set in modern mahogany mantle mounts.”

Dial Configuration and Winding Mechanism

The clock features a "6–inch silvered dial" with "black Arabic numerals and markings" and is signed "Chelsea/Ship's Bell" below the center. Observations note black hands with pierced spade and poire forms, an outer railway chapter track, and a Fast/Slow regulation slot visible near the 9 to 10 numeral position.

The dial is equipped with "movement and ship strike key winds," visible as two winding apertures situated around the lower dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “6–inch silvered dial”
  • “black Arabic numerals and markings”
  • “signed "Chelsea/Ship's Bell" below the center”
  • “with movement and ship strike key winds”
  • “Silvered dial with two winding apertures situated around the lower dial face.”
  • “Fast/Slow regulation slot visible near the 9 to 10 numeral position.”
  • “Black hands with pierced spade and poire forms indicating minutes and hours against an outer railway chapter track.”

Open research questions

  • What serial number is stamped on the movement, and what manufacturing date does it correspond to in Chelsea Clock Company factory records?
  • Does the brass drum case or bezel bear assembly numbers matching the movement?
  • How is the brass drum case attached to the modern mahogany mantel mount?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Ship's Bell clock on modern mahogany mantle mount
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerChelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass.“Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass.”
Dial Size6 inches“6–inch silvered dial”
Overall Diameter7-1/4 in. (18.4 cm.)“7-1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) overall diameter”
CasementBrass casement and screw off face“brass casement and screw off face”
Dial InscriptionChelsea/Ship's Bell“signed "Chelsea/Ship's Bell" below the center”
MountModern mahogany mantle mounts“Set in modern mahogany mantle mounts.”
Numerals and MarkingsBlack Arabic numerals and markings“black Arabic numerals and markings”
Winding MechanismMovement and ship strike key winds“with movement and ship strike key winds”

Visible details

  • Polished brass cylindrical drum case mounted on a dark stepped mahogany plinth with an arched profile.
  • Silvered dial with two winding apertures situated around the lower dial face.
  • Fast/Slow regulation slot visible near the 9 to 10 numeral position.
  • Black hands with pierced spade and poire forms indicating minutes and hours against an outer railway chapter track.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement specifications and serial numbers are not recorded or visible.
  • The modern mahogany mantel mount is an auxiliary base rather than an original component of the brass marine casement.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A Chelsea "Ship's Bell" clock 20th century 7-1/4 in. (18.4 cm.) overall diameter.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 51e45432cd

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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