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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Gingerbread mantle clock

Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock

Partially verified

This Sessions Grand Assortment #3 is an American gingerbread or kitchen clock dating to circa 1915 according to source historical notes. The steam-pressed oak case stands 22 inches tall and 10 inches wide, embellished with a pressed fan crest and foliate scrollwork around a central glazed door. A circular six-inch dial features Roman numerals and two winding squares above a lower glass tablet decorated with a polychrome four-colour floral and butterfly motif. The source reports that the timepiece contains an eight-day time-and-strike movement that strikes the hours and half-hours on a coiled wire gong.

Front view of the Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock in an oak case
Front view of the Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock in an oak case — Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
antiquevintageclock.com
Category
Clock · Gingerbread mantle clock
Maker / attribution
Sessions Clock Company
Reference
Grand #3
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1915
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

Identity and Model Series

The clock is identified by the source as a Sessions Clock Company "Grand #3", forming part of a trio in the "Grand Assortment" series. According to historical notes cited by the source, the clock sold for $4.00 in 1915 and could originally be configured with an alarm and/or cathedral bell.

A label on the case back is described as intact, accompanied by a handwritten inscription in pen: "Benson Clock, Main St. Hudson Que, purchased at their auction on sale in late 1940s".

Evidence for this section
  • “This particular clock is Grand #3.”
  • “this particular clock is one of three in a series and sold for $4.00 in 1915 and could be configured with alarm and/or cathedral bell.”
  • “The label on the back is 100% intact and below it in pen it says, “Benson Clock, Main St. Hudson Que, purchased at their auction on sale in late 1940s”.”

Case Construction and Glazing

The case is constructed of steam-pressed oak, decorated by a heat-bond process. The source records dimensions of 22 inches in height, 10 inches in width, and a 6-inch dial.

Direct visual inspection shows a steeply arched cresting featuring a steam-pressed fan motif flanked by foliate scrolls, with additional scrolling patterns along the side pilasters and plinth base. The glazed door encloses a lower tablet decorated in four colours depicting floral elements and a butterfly; the source notes this differs from the monotone designs shown in original promotional material and suggests it looks hand colorized.

Evidence for this section
  • “clocks’ cases were steam-pressed oak”
  • “Various designs were pressed by a heat-bond process”
  • “The clock is 22 inches tall, ten inches wide with a 6 inch dial.”
  • “Steeply arched cresting featuring steam-pressed fan motif flanked by foliate scrolls”
  • “This one is in four colours and not anything like the designs in the promotional pamphlet. It looks hand colorized.”

Dial and Source-Reported Movement

The six-inch dial features Roman numerals, spade hands, and dual winding arbors. An embossed pendulum bob is visible through the lower glass pane.

The movement is not visible in the exterior photo; the source reports it as a time and strike movement that strikes the hour and half hour on a coiled gong. The source also notes surface rust on the movement but reports nothing fundamentally wrong with its operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Six-inch dial with Roman numerals, spade hands, and dual winding arbors”
  • “Embossed pendulum bob visible through the decorated glass pane”
  • “It is a time and strike movement striking the hour and half hour on a coiled gong.”
  • “Some rust on the movement”
  • “there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the movement”

Internal Casework and Technical Limitations

The interior floor of the case contains three factory-drilled holes. Drawing on a reference stating that clocks were "packed six in a case", the source speculates that the units were bolted together for transit.

Because verification relies on an exterior photograph and collector notes, internal movement stampings, factory label text beyond the cited inscription, and precise gear train details are not documented in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “There are three factory drilled holes in the inside floor.”
  • “As they were “packed six in a case” my guess is that the clocks were bolted together for shipping.”

Open research questions

  • What specific text and maker marks are printed on the intact label on the back of the case?
  • Are there manufacturer stamps, patent dates, or movement model numbers on the brass movement plates?
  • Was the four-colour glass tablet design applied at the Sessions factory or added or altered at a later date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelGrand #3“This particular clock is Grand #3.”
Case MaterialSteam-pressed oak“clocks’ cases were steam-pressed oak”
Dimensions22 inches tall, 10 inches wide with a 6 inch dial“The clock is 22 inches tall, ten inches wide with a 6 inch dial.”
Striking MechanismHour and half hour on a coiled gong“It is a time and strike movement striking the hour and half hour on a coiled gong.”
Glass Tablet DesignFour colours“This one is in four colours”
Original Retail Price$4.00 in 1915“sold for $4.00 in 1915”
Inscribed ProvenanceBenson Clock, Main St. Hudson Que, purchased at auction in late 1940s“Benson Clock, Main St. Hudson Que, purchased at their auction on sale in late 1940s”
Case Floor FeatureThree factory-drilled holes“There are three factory drilled holes in the inside floor.”

Visible details

  • Steeply arched cresting featuring steam-pressed fan motif flanked by foliate scrolls
  • Carved or heat-pressed scrolling patterns across the side pilasters and plinth base
  • Six-inch dial with Roman numerals, spade hands, and dual winding arbors
  • Polychrome lower tablet decorated in multiple colours with floral elements and a butterfly
  • Embossed pendulum bob visible through the decorated glass pane

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement is not visible in the provided image; mechanical details are source-reported
  • Case back label and inscriptions are obscured from view

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

Consulted source

Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock – Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e1d5a548b8

Terms in this record

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