Masonic Shelf Clockc. 187018 × 12 1/4 × 3 1/4"Wood, glass, and metalGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel2015.1.14701555475154John Haley BellamyFurniture/FurnishingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster24258CharlestownCharlestownUnited StatesMassachusettsThree Dimensional WorksFraternal Art and ObjectsCharlestownBetween 1866 and 1872, famed Maine woodcarver John Haley Bellamy worked in Massachusetts with a partner, David Titcomb, who acted as his lawyer and salesman. In 1868 their business was listed as being located on the first floor of the Masonic building in Charlestown. During these years, Bellamy designed a number of shelf clock cases, wooden frames, and what-not shelves with Masonic and fraternal symbols, many of which he patented. Bellamy was not a Freemason, but he saw the potential in the market after the Civil War, as American fraternal groups flourished and membership exploded.
The design of this clock case was patented on September 10, 1867. It successfully combines a complex medley of Masonic symbols in a pleasing Gothic-style design that was popular at the time. Included among the symbols are the hourglass with wings, signifying the passage of time; the two pillars Boaz and Jachin from King Solomon’s Temple with globes on top, one celestial and one terrestrial, symbolizing the universality of Freemasonry; and the square and compasses symbol with a G in the center, signifying God, geometry, or both.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Masonic Shelf Clock," exhibition label for Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art from the Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2016.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orghttp://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster24258http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster24258http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster2425818651875 2015 1 147 Between 1866 and 1872, famed Maine woodcarver John Haley Bellamy worked in Massachusetts with a partner, David Titcomb, who acted as his lawyer and salesman. In 1868 their business was listed as being located on the first floor of the Masonic building in Charlestown. During these years, Bellamy designed a number of shelf clock cases, wooden frames, and what-not shelves with Masonic and fraternal symbols, many of which he patented. Bellamy was not a Freemason, but he saw the potential in the market after the Civil War, as American fraternal groups flourished and membership exploded.
The design of this clock case was patented on September 10, 1867. It successfully combines a complex medley of Masonic symbols in a pleasing Gothic-style design that was popular at the time. Included among the symbols are the hourglass with wings, signifying the passage of time; the two pillars Boaz and Jachin from King Solomon’s Temple with globes on top, one celestial and one terrestrial, symbolizing the universality of Freemasonry; and the square and compasses symbol with a G in the center, signifying God, geometry, or both.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Masonic Shelf Clock," exhibition label for Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art from the Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2016.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org