Ingraham Clocks

A brief history

Before talking about the famous and antique pieces of Ingraham clock, I would like to give you a brief history of Ingraham Clock Company. The history of Ingraham clocks dates back to mid 19th century. This company was a small shop situated on Birge's pond in Bristol and owned by Elias Ingraham. He was a notable case-maker for the clocks. He worked with many partners .Anson. L. Atwood, a veteran clock maker, set up and also managed the department stored for Elias Ingraham. They received around 17 patents between 1857 and 1873. His most famous design was the figure "8" door design. The most of the cases were made of rosewood and some of the popular models are "Doric"," Venetian" and "Ionic". They were made in several sizes and are very popular even today. Elias was succeeded by his son Edward Ingraham who became famous for his method of applying black enamel paint to wooden clock cases. They introduced the "black mantel" clocks of 221 plus different models. This technology was used to imitate the French marble mantle clocks. For the next three decades they were the leading players in the clock industry. In the early 20th century they manufactured the pocket watches and wristwatches. During the World War II the watch and pendulum clock making ceased once for all as electrical and electronic watches were introduced in the market. Later they were into manufacturing electric clocks. But for more than a century they had manufactured beautiful, unique and traditional clocks that are considered to be antiques today.

Some famous Ingraham clocks

1. Ginger bread alarm clock- a rare Ingraham clock
This clock measures around "22 inch " high and "13 inch" wide with a beautifully hand carved design on the sides was manufactured in the year 1891 in their Bristol unit. It chimes every half an hour and the inner dial of the clock is used to set the alarm time. The colour of the clock is brown stain and the door is glass with designs on it.

2. Tambour style clock
This style of the clock was made in Bristol and was designed to be kept on the mantle above the fireplace. The case of the clock is "nine and half inches high and four and three by four deep. The dial is black Arabic numerals inside brass chapter ring.

3. Kitchen wall clock
Ingraham's has also designed wall clocks with alarm dial for the kitchen. They are around "22 ’Ä° "inches high and "4 ˆ¶ "inches deep. The dial is has roman numerical and the alarm dial is brass with Arabic numerals.

Once, Bristol in Connecticut was known as the clock capital of the world as many clock factories were located there. The Ingraham's were the most popular for their designs and style, later on for the black enamel painting on the wood- that gave the clock the name "Black mantle clock". The apple shaped wooden wall clock with golden ring and black spade hands and Arabic numerals is another masterpiece of theirs. They were credited for the "Gothic" style cases, which includes round, sharp and steeple types. Edward Ingraham set up a clock museum in Bristol show casing some of the rare variety of timepieces.

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