Seth Thomas was an industrious clockmaker and pioneer of mass production in the United States. He founded the highly successful Seth Thomas Clock Company, which operated for more than 200 years. Over these two centuries, the company created mantle clocks, wall clocks and table clocks that were known for their masterful craftsmanship and on-trend designs.
Thomas was born in 1785 in Wolcott, Connecticut, to Scottish immigrants. At the time, Connecticut was a growing hub of American clockmaking. Though he left school at an early age, Thomas apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner in Plymouth. In the early 1800s, he made his first clock out of laurel wood from the mountains around his home.
In 1807, Thomas partnered with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley to form a clock company called Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. Over the next three years, the firm produced around 400 wall clocks. In 1813, Thomas sold his share of the company and moved to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he established his clock factory. He gained a reputation for producing beautiful grandfather clocks and tower clocks.
When Thomas died in 1859, his son, Aaron, took over the company. The Seth Thomas Clock Company continued operating successfully for several more decades. In 1913, it produced the four-faced tower clock that still stands in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
In 1875, Plymouth Hollow was incorporated under the name Thomaston in his honor. The company went out of business in 2009.
Find antique Seth Thomas clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
$1,800
H 10 in W 6 in D 3.5 in
Early 20th Century Mahogany Mantel Clock with Decorative Inlay form England
Located in North Salem, NY
Attractive antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany balloon shaped mantle clock. Quality mahogany case with decorative foliage inlay and a white enamel dial raised on four bun feet. Circa...
Boxwood, Mahogany
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Striking Mantel Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
A refined and beautifully proportioned Edwardian mahogany mantel clock of elegant Gothic-arched form decorated with delicate satinwood inlay depicting bows, floral garlands and class...
Mahogany
Victorian Mahogany Mantel Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Norwich, GB
Late Victorian mahogany mantel clock in a dome top case line inlaid with satinwood stringing and bordered with chequered ebony and sati...
Mahogany
Lovely quality antique Edwardian mahogany mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Lovely quality antique Edwardian mahogany mantle clock, having a domed shaped case with ribbon carvings around the edges, a central brass bezel and white enamel dial with Roman numer...
Brass
$9,404
H 14.5 in W 9.75 in D 6.6 in
19th Century Antique Regency Mahogany Bracket Clock by Thomas Moss of London
By Thomas Moss
Located in Devon, GB
A good Regency period mahogany hour striking bracket clock. The lancet style case with pierced brass side frets, lion and ring side handles and claw feet. The circular silvered and ...
Brass
Antique Rosewood New Haven Clock Co. Mantle Clock
By New Haven Clock Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
The case is done in Rosewood with white border to display a beautiful look, the glass has reverse painted design and geometrical design.
Brass
$940Sale Price|45% Off
H 25.5 in W 15.5 in D 5 in
Seth Thomas City Series Mantel Clock, Victorian Walnut & Brass, 1880s
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
Seth Thomas City Series - Pittsburgh VP. 6 in. Paper dial with silvered bezel, black Roman hour numerals, spade hands; 8 day spring driven movement No. 6 3/4, signed - S. Thomas, Tho...
Brass
$1,276
H 16.54 in W 11.82 in D 8.27 in
Antique Edwardian quality mahogany inlaid chiming 8 day mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Edwardian quality mahogany inlaid chiming 8 day mantle clock having a quality mahogany inlaid case, a single glazed door to the front of the case with a working lock to the s...
Glass, Mahogany
$2,999Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 11.25 in D 8 in
Early 19th century Regency English Mahogany Bracket Clock
Located in Savannah, GA
Unmarked clockworks, but identical case to one with works by English clockmakers Thomas Satcher, 1775, and one by Handley and Moore, 1798-1824. Figured mahogany dome- top case mounte...
Brass
Small Mahogany Mantel Clock by Webster, London
By Richard Webster
Located in Norwich, GB
Small mahogany mantel clock by Webster, London Break arch case with applied carved decoration resting on a shaped stepped plinth and standing on four brass ball feet. Brass bezel opening to the silvered dial with Roman numerals, original ‘blued’ steel hands signed Webster, Queen Victoria Street, London. The hinged back door opening to the eight day movement with platform escapement striking the hours and halves on a coiled gong. The backplate of the clock also signed Webster. C.1880 The Webster family clockmaking business was founded by William Webster and passed from father to son for almost 200 years. William Webster was apprenticed to John Barnet in 1701 and then transferred to Thomas Tompion...
Mahogany
Vintage Seth Thomas School Pillar & Scroll Mantle Clock, Reverse Painted Panel
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Seth Thomas pillar and scroll mantle clock, produced in the mid-20th century. This handsome timepiece is crafted from mahogany and faithfully reproduces the iconic American...
Mahogany
Antique Seth Thomas Oval Mantel Clock with Crystal Case
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique oval mantel clock by Seth Thomas with crystal case.. Measures - 9.5"h x 7.25"w x 5.75"d. This antique mantel clock by Seth Thomas features an oval crystal case that sho...
Crystal
Antique Ithaca Clock Co. Tall Case Walnut Grandfather Clock C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Ithaca Clock Co. Tall Case Walnut Grandfather Clock C1920 Measures - 87 3/4" x 19" x 1...
Wood
Oversized Antique Chip Carved Walnut Calendar Clock c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized antique calendar wall clock, crafted in the American Victorian style, circa 1890. The case is constructed from walnut and features intricate chip carving throughout. The...
Walnut
Federal Mahogany Banjo Clock With Gilt Decorated Panels & Eagle Finial c1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
Federal Mahogany Banjo Clock With Gilt Decorated Glass Panels & Eagle Finial C1860 Measures - 34"h x 10.25"w x 4.25"d
Mahogany
Federal Mahogany Banjo Clock With 2 Eglomise Panels & Eagle Finial C1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
An American Federal style banjo clock, crafted from mahogany circa 1860. The clock features the classic form with a circular head, a tapered throat, and a rectangular pendulum box. I...
Mahogany
