J.C. Brown, Bristol
Circa 1850 small Empire J.C. Brown Fusee shelf clock: “Patented Eight Day Brass Clocks, Springs with equalizing power, warranted not to fail, Manufactured and Sold by the Forestville Manufacturing Company, J.C. Brown, Bristol CT.” A closely related example is depicted on pages 36, 37 of Roberts & Taylor: “Jonathan Clark Brown and the Forestville Manufacturing Company.” The brass striking movement is powered by twin fusees retained by a cast iron bracket. The movement is signed/die stamped by the maker at the bottom edge of the front plate. Makers label (with losses) pasted to the back board. The Rosewood case with “ripple molding” has a very desirable patina and an old finish. Frosted/etched tablet in the door. All in all a very nice, original and collectible Connecticut shelf clock. The original, untouched painted tin dial is signed by the maker below the center arbor. 18 inches tall