About the Seth Thomas “Flora” Clock
Title: The Seth Thomas “Flora” Clock Model: A Collector’s Delight
The Seth Thomas “Flora” clock model, introduced in the late 19th century, is a striking example of American craftsmanship and design. This timepiece belongs to the mantel clock category, designed for placement on top of furniture rather than mounted on walls or hanging as a pendulum regulator.
The “Flora” model is renowned for its exquisite case materials and distinctive design. The case is typically crafted from richly grained mahogany, complemented by intricate brass details and ornate floral motifs. The dial, often featuring Roman numerals, adds a touch of elegance to this already impressive piece.
The “Flora” clock model was produced primarily during the Victorian era (1837-1901), making it an excellent choice for collectors interested in antique clocks from this period. One of the key factors contributing to its collectibility is the combination of fine craftsmanship, ornate design, and rarity, as many original “Flora” clocks have been lost over time due to wear and tear or being passed down through generations without documentation.
Notable features of the Seth Thomas “Flora” clock model include a precision brass movement that ensures accurate timekeeping, an enamel dial with hand-painted Roman numerals, and a finely crafted pendulum with a carved floral design. For collectors, the “Flora” offers not only a stunning addition to their collection but also a glimpse into the rich history of American clockmaking during the Victorian era.
While it’s difficult to provide specific prices for antique clocks without considering factors such as condition, rarity, and market demand, the Seth Thomas “Flora” clock model is generally considered a valuable investment for
Auction Records and Price History
The following 18 auction record(s) show actual sale prices for the Seth Thomas “Flora” model clock. Prices vary based on condition, originality, and current market demand. Search for more records on AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com.
Antique Seth Thomas Flora Clock
Jan 2022 – #35
Antique American Clocks
Seth Thomas “Flora”, 1885.
One of my favorite Seth Thomas wall clocks, at 38 inches long
in cherry with a clean finish.
Both glasses are old/original, the painted dial is clean, faded, but still bears the ST logo.
The hands are correct.
The signed 8-day, time-and-strike movement is running and striking a cathedral gong on the hours, driven
by two proper brass weights and regulated by a damascened brass pendulum.
A dark, illegible label on the inside bottom, the
date of manufacture on the back.
Horton’s sold a Flora in 2017 for $1885.
$1500-$1800.
Brett Berry has suggested that this
clock was originally in ebony, a finish listed in the catalog description. He noted the black backboard and date stencil on
top of the paint, and the traces of ebony paint/stain in the crevices and carvings. I looked carefully at the clock finish and
believe he is right. The ebony finish has been removed; the only question that remains is what is the wood? It still looks
like cherry to me!
Thanks, Brett!
OVERVIEW PAGE
Retail: $1,500 | Date: 01/01/2022 | Source: AntiqueAmericanClocks.com
Seth Thomas hanging clock, “Flora”, ca 1884.
Made in the period when Seth Thomas was making their finest clocks. Cases had good designs, better wood used, high grade movements, weights, etc. I have not seen this movement in another Seth Thomas clock. The weights are compounded to run 8 days in a shorter case. We had the movement restrung using good cord.We don’t get very many cherry cases. This one is 38 inches, is a very clean case, and has door locks on the side. Unusual carved designs on the sides, flowers, leaves, and vines. All the brass has been polished, weights, pendulum, gong, and beat scale. The Dial House repainted the dial, glasses are original. Hands are not original, but correct for this model. Factory manufacture date stamped on the case back, “1887. Ly-Seth Thomas No.487.
Sold: $3,475 | Date: 1/1/2003 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks
C.1883 Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn: “Flora” model wall clock in ebony finish with 8-day time and strike weight movement.
Condition: The case is in very good condition, the dial is original but has buckled away in a couple of places from the brass bezel. Has proper replacement weights, and original pendulum. The case has no label. In our Apr’08 auction, an oak version of this clock sold for $4500+. This model is pictured in Tran Duy Ly’s Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements, Third Edition, Vol. 1, p.327. Height 44 inches,
Sold: $3,100 | Date: 11-08-2008 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1884, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Flora” wall clock
in excellent original condition. Movement is an 8-day 2-weight time and strike. The ebony finish on this case is original, with minor touch up; there is a small piece of wood missing from the upper left molding. The dial is in good condition with minor flaking. Clock retains original pendulum, pulleys, gong stand, etc, however the weights are proper size replacements. There are minor scrapes to the case, and the damascening on the pendulum is partly polished off, but we would still rate this as A minus overall. Clean and running. Height 38″
Sold: $2,000 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1884, Seth Thomas “FLORA”, 8-Day, 2-wt wall clock in excellent+ original condition.
Condition is sometimes subjective, and this was certainly very close to outstanding. The ebonized case retains its original finish, the original painted dial has not started to flake, retains original weights, damascene pendulum, gong and gong standard. Pulleys are original as well. Minor nicks and scrapes, but overall this clock is ready to hang and enjoy; movement is clean an recently strung. Super label in case bottom. As good as it gets. Height 38 inches
Sold: $4,250 | Date: 4/26/2003 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Flora”, C.1883, 8-day time/strike wall clock, 2-weight with cathedral gong.
nice walnut case has been “Tannerized”, or cleaned and polished, however the finish is original. There is a small hole in the center of the bottom bracket, added for wall stabilization. Original painted dial has wear and fading of the numbers and some paint loss at the winding arbors. Original hands, weights and a very nice damascene pendulum. Dark label inside bottom of the case. There are couple of small dings in the weights. Overall very good to excellent original condition. Ht 38″
Sold: $3,680 | Date: 5/15/2010 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1880, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Flora” 8-day, 2-weight time/strike wall clock in very good restored condition.
The cherry case has been attractively refinished and the dial repainted; one small repair to the cherry by the hanging hole. Both glasses are original. This model case has beautiful floral accents carved on each side. Note this is an early case with inset door that was discontinued in an effort to simplify the case. The damascene pendulum and smooth weights are original The only fault we found was that the clock wants to stop when it warns for the hour strike; warning lever needs adjusting. Height 38″
Sold: $4,700 | Date: April, 2002 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1883, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “FLORA” in mahogany, 8-day, 2-weight time and strike on cathedral gong, carved flowers on sides of the case.
Condition: the flaked dial has been papered over and needs painting. The original weights lost their hooks and someone fashioned a support with “s-hook” to attach to pulleys. Two pulleys are ST, other 2 are for a Vienna [replacements are available for Timesavers]. The case itself is in excellent condition with original finish intact. Movement is properly signed and clean. Has good damascene pendulum with nickel finish. When fully original, these can fetch $4500. See Tran Ly’s book on Seth Thomas, 3rd Edition,, Vol 1, page 327. Height 38 inches
Sold: $2,100 | Date: April, 2008 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1883, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “FLORA” in golden oak, 8-day, 2-weight, time and gong strike.
Condition: best and most original Flora we have ever seen, super label + sticker from Riggs and Bro., Philada. See also lot 158. Height 38 inches
Sold: $4,500 | Date: April, 2008 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” ebonized 8 day time and strike weight driven wall clock, dated 1885
restored rare model, repainted black case with hand-carving. 1885D (April) date code stamp on back. Pendulum bob retains faint pattern. Movement looks clean. Bottom label missing, beat scale has small piece broken off one end, one small original weight pulley missing (poor replacement included). Redone dial. 39″ high.
Sold: $1100 | Date: May 15, 2011 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora”, 8 day double weight timepiece in ebony finish, c1890
a very nice ebonized case in original finish with a couple of dings on the top most molding, some wear to the finish on the side of the door where one would put their hands to open it and some other small dings. Original painted dial is very fine with some marks from inserting the winding key. Original damascene pendulum. The weights are not original. Ht. 38″
Sold: $1500 | Date: May 15, 2011 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” wall clock with an 8 day weight driven time and strike (cathedral gong) movement in a walnut case.
The walnut case retains some original finish and has a very nice overall appearance. The original painted dial shows slight wear around the chapter ring and minor flaking at the winding holes. The hands are original. The pendulum has a nicely damascened nickel bob. The door glasses are original. The movement is signed.
Sold: $1,900 | Date: May 15, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora”, 8 day, time and strike, double weight driven brass movement wall clock.
Mahogany case in an old finish has some small dings on the door edge from normal use and a ding on the bottom bracket. Original painted dial has some wear to the numbers and a small paint fleck. Original hands and pendulum. Original label inside.
Sold: $1,300 | Date: October 21, 2017 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” wall clock with a weight driven 8 day time and strike movement in a walnut case.
The finish has deteriorated and the case should be refinished. The original dial has been repainted. The original hands have been painted black. The case is date Sept. 1884 on the back side. This clock has great potential as a walnut Flora.
Sold: $1,100 | Date: October 22, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” 8 days, time and strike, wall clock with ebony finish, c1884.
The case retains it original ebony finish and is in excellent condition. The original painted dial is in great condition with one very minor repair. Hands and both glasses are original. Nice Seth Thomas label on the base. The case is dated 1884 on the back side and movement is signed. Overall this Flora is in excellent condition. Ht 38 1/2″.
Sold: $1,400 | Date: October 26, 2014 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” 8 days, time and strike, hanging wall clock in cherry case, c1886.
The case retains its original finish, The dial appears repainted, but proper. The hands are original. The movement is signed. The weights may be replacements. The case is dated 1886 on the back.
Sold: $2,000 | Date: October 26, 2014 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora”, 8 day, time and strike weight brass movement wall clock.
Ebonized cherry case in nice condition in original finish has some surface wear to the finish around the side lock and some dings on a small spot on the left side back edge. Original painted dial has a couple chips on the outer edge and some staining at the winding arbors. Nice damascene pendulum. Dark label inside. Original weights and hands. .
Sold: $850 | Date: October 27, 2018 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Flora” wall clock, 8 day, time and strike, weight driven movement in a cherry case with painted metal dial and damascene pendulum bob, c1883
the case retains its original finish, nicely rubbed down. The dial and hands are all original. This is an excellent example. Ht 38″
Sold: $3,100 | Date: October 28, 2012 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
