About the Seth Thomas “Cottage” Clock
Welcome to our collector’s reference page for the Seth Thomas “Cottage” Clock, an iconic piece from the American clock-making tradition. This antique timepiece, dating back to approximately 1865, showcases a compact design measuring 15.5 inches in height.
The Seth Thomas Cottage Clock features an 8-day time-and-strike movement, running and striking as intended. The clock comes with two original glasses and a contoured metal dial that exhibits some chipping at the edges, which may be original to the piece. The movement is signed Plymouth Hollow, and the label bears the Thomaston mark.
The finish of this Cottage Clock requires serious renovation, and it is believed that the veneer is oak. Over time, the dial has developed some flaking along the top and left edges. Despite the need for restoration, this antique Seth Thomas clock remains an attractive addition to any collection due to its historical significance and unique characteristics.
Additional variations of the Cottage Clock include models from around 1875 and 1876, which feature a 30-hour time and alarm mechanism. These versions are made of rosewood veneer and exhibit various degrees of wear, such as chips on the door or loss on the bottom molding. Some clocks may also have original tablets commemorating historical events like the 1876 Centennial Exhibition Hall in Philadelphia.
Later models from around 1880 showcase an 8-day Cottage clock with time, strike, and alarm features. These versions may have undergone restoration, with repainted dials and re-stenciled tablets. Some clocks from this era have been completely re-veneered, while others retain their original finish in good condition.
Regardless of the
Auction Records and Price History
The following 29 auction record(s) show actual sale prices for the Seth Thomas “Cottage” model clock. Prices vary based on condition, originality, and current market demand. Search for more records on AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com.
Antique Seth Thomas cottage Clock
Jul 2020 – 244 Antique American Clocks Seth Thomas cottage clock, ca. 1865. A 15.5-inch clock with a 8- day time-and-strike movement (running and striking) and two old/original glasses. The contoured metal dial may also be original, with chipping at the edges and right side. The movement is signed Plymouth Hollow and the label is Thomaston. The finish needs serious renovation, I believe the veneer is oak. Need a project?
Retail: $81 | Date: 07/01/2020 | Source: AntiqueAmericanClocks.com
C.1875, Seth Thomas. 30-hour COTTAGE, miniature time and
alarm and in good original condition. The original dial has some flaking along the top and left edges. Both glasses are original and the case is complete with original bright gold counter framing and nice patina on original finish. Label stained but legible. Height 9 inches
Sold: $300 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1876, Seth Thomas Clock Co., 30-hour time and strike
Cottage model with alarm. The Rosewood veneered case has some chips on the door and some loss on the bottom molding. The original dial has some loss on the figures around the winding holes. Best part is the super original dated tablet of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition Hall in Philadelphia (minor flakes in background). Very good label. Height 14 inches
Sold: $230 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1880, Seth Thomas, 8-Day COTTAGE, with alarm, in
good restored condition. The dial has been repainted and the tablet re-stenciled. There are small chips at all 4 corners on the base. The clock is otherwise in nice shape with original hands. Actually looks fine. Height 14 inches
Sold: $200 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1863, Seth Thomas, Plymouth (label and movement), COTTAGE, mini one day time,
restored (see Ly no. 968 in Seth Thomas book). This is a Civil War era clock and these OG bottoms are hard to find. This model might not please everyone, as it has been completely re-veneered, top to bottom, and there are some “waves” in the veneer. Any one who has tried veneering knows that it is a tough job. The dial has been professionally painted, and with new “S-T” hands. Retains a great Plymouth Hollow label. Just cleaned, running and ready to enjoy. Height 9 inches
Sold: $175 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1880, Seth Thomas COTTAGE, 8-Day, Time, Strike and Alarm
in very good condition. The dial has been professionally repainted on the original pan, which, interestingly, bears a German customs seal for “Silesia-W, Lipine”. Also of note is the old tablet of a German castle, chalet and church (with some flakes in the paint). There is a small veneer chip on the door, top right, but the rosewood is otherwise in very nice condition and with original finish. Movement recently cleaned and in good running order. Height 14 inches
Sold: $155 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1860, Seth Thomas, Plymouth Hollow, Conn. 30-hour cottage
clock. The refinished case has a couple of veneer chips on the lower molding. The dial has been repainted and the tablet has been professionally restored (great bird stencil pattern). The movement is signed. The label is full and legible (minor stains). A nice pre-civil war clock with tasteful restoration. Height 14 inches
Sold: $120 | Date: 10/1/2001 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1870, Seth Thomas, Mini Cottage, time and alarm in rosewood flat top case, and in good condition.
Case retains original finish, but with a couple of small veneer chips. Old dial pan stripped and improperly papered for dial; original S-T hands. Height 9.25′
Sold: $165 | Date: 11/1/1999 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1870, Seth Thomas, Mini Cottage, time and alarm in rosewood octagon top case, and in fair condition.
Case is refinished and with veneer chips; label dark, minute hand replaced and tablet is clear; Height 9.25′
Sold: $155 | Date: 11/1/1999 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1875, Seth Thomas, 8-Day “Cottage’ in restored condition.
There are some small rosewood veneer repairs, and the case has been completely refinished (nice job). The original dial pan has been repainted and is a bit too bright; interesting tablet of “Natural Bridge”. Clean, runs and strikes well; generally good plus condition; height 14′
Sold: $350 | Date: 11/1/1999 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1911 (dated on rear), Seth Thomas COTTAGE clock
8-day, time, strike and alarm, in outstanding original condition. There are a couple of small paint flakes on the dial, and very minor edge abrasion on the base. This clock is otherwise complete, sound and original and a clock that anyone would be proud to own. Using large no. 44 movement with Geneva stop work. Original label is like new; pansy bouquet tablet is superb. Height 14″ $275-375
Sold: $500 | Date: 11/1/2000 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1878, Seth Thomas Mini Cottage clock, shelf clock
1-day, time and strike in very good restored condition. The rosewood veneer is quite lively on this case, however, the base has had a 1 inch1 inches strip replaced right around the entire molding (nicely done, but obvious). The dial has been professionally refinished. Retains type 5 Thomaston label and old floral tablet, using type “J”, lyre shaped movement. Clean and running. Height 9″
Sold: $180 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1880, Seth Thomas Mini Cottage, shelf clock
flat top, rosewood case, with replacement dial. The case itself retains original finish, with some discoloration. The gilding is worn off the door frames and is now gold paint. The type 5 Thomaston label is dark from being wet and separating from the back. The pendulum is a new Indian replacement. Using type D movement. Height 9″
Sold: $225 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1895, Seth Thomas, Mini Cottage, flat top model shelf clock
Refer to 1998 Nawcc Bulletins for movement nomenclature. This clock has the round type A movement (one day, time only, 6 o’clock wind). The mahogany case has been refinished and the tablet is new; dial redone by the Dial House (antique crazed finish). The clock is clean and running; good Thomaston label (type 5) inside. In original condition we see these bringing $300+. Height 9″
Sold: $170 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1876, Seth Thomas, Mini Cottage, shelf clock
slant base in good restored condition. The slant base has been re-veneered, and some small repairs to other veneer chips. The dial has been professionally refinished and “S-T” hands are new (proper replacements). Using type “D” movement, 1-day-time, and with type 5 Thomaston label. Height 9″
Sold: $200 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1870, Seth Thomas, Mini Cottage, flat top cottage clock
in excellent condition with very good type 5 Thomaston label and “D” style movement. The rosewood case retains original finish and the gilding on the frames is original and bright. The only item that has been restored is the repainted dial. The minute hand had been bent and was straightened, and has a bit of a kink in it. Running. Height 9″
Sold: $200 | Date: 4/21/2001 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1885, Seth Thomas Clock Co., COTTAGE model 8-day mantel clock.
Condition: Rosewood veneered case in very clean condition with original finish. Original painted dial has some minor paint flaking. Hands and tablet are original. Nice clean label inside. Movement is signed. A nice example of this model. Height 14.5 inches [36.83 cm]
Sold: $210 | Date: 4/22/2007 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
SETH THOMAS COTTAGE CLOCK (NY c. 1870)
Clock sits on turned wooden pedestal with gilt highlights. Porcelain dialed marked Seth Thomas & Sons, NY Time-only 30-hour, brass-spring movement. Height: 10 inches Provenance: ex-collection of Peter Zaharis, Ithaca, NY
Sold: $220 | Date: 6/1/2001 | Source: Cottone Auctions
C.1875, Seth Thomas Clock Co., 30-hour cottage.
This rosewood veneered example has been very nicely restored. The dial has been repainted. The tablet has been restored. This clock once had an alarm that is now missing. The bell for the alarm still remains. Height 14 1/2″
Sold: $175 | Date: April, 2002 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas “Cottage”, ca 1875. 8 day movement strikes a coil gong hourly.
Dial possibly a repaint, many years ago, tablet and glass are original and still very good. Hands and all case hardware is original. 14 inches mahogany veneer case is grungy, never cleaned, a small chip top right, a large chip off the left base. Full label inside, old pendulum bob, clock is running. Certainly a restorable early clock. Ly-Seth Thomas No. 972.
Sold: $0 unsold | Date: January, 2005 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks
Seth Thomas miniature 9 1/2 inch cottage clock, ca 1863.
8 day, time and alarm, mostly these were made with 30 hour movements. Case of walnut veneer, brass bell and bob, original key. Within an eyelash of perfect. Bear in mind it is 140 years old. Ly-Seth Thomas No.953, 1585.
Sold: $328 | Date: July, 2002 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks
C.1870, Seth Thomas, Mahogany COTTAGE, clock, 30 hour time and gong strike, spring mov’t.
Condition: the case has been refinished. Dial and tablet are good; ST hands. Thomaston label. ht 14.2″
Sold: $50 | Date: May 8, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1875, Seth Thomas, COTTAGE, model, time, strike and alarm, with floral tablet, 1-day.
Condition: the case has been stripped and could use some more finish. Dial and label are good. Ht 14.2″
Sold: $60 | Date: May 8, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1886, Seth Thomas, Cottage, Round Top, one day time and strike in a mahogany case.
Condition: the repainted dial is flaking and with poor touch up. The hands are replaced. The case is refinished. Ticks. No label. ht 9″
Sold: $50 | Date: May 8, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1860, Seth Thomas, “COTTAGE”, with beveled bottom and cornice top in good original condition.
This is an uncommon model that shows in the catalog as a miniature (see Ly, numbers 1558 1562), however this is a full size cottage, standing 13.5″ This is a nice time, strike and alarm model (30 hour), complete and sound with a good tablet and old finish. There is some flaking on the dial (as is common with all Seth Thomas models).
Sold: $80 | Date: May 8th, 2004 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Cottage”, 8-day time and gong strike, with bell alarm cottage clock. Circa 1880.
rosewood veneered case in original finish with small veneer chip on bottom edge of door and loss on the sides of the base (are not obvious). Original painted dial with some central losses and wear to the numbers. Hands are original. Tablet is original with some very minor loss. Good label. Height 14.5 inches
Sold: $161 | Date: November 6, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., time and strike “COTTAGE” model shelf clock, 8-day time and gong strike. C.1880.
mahogany veneered case retains its original finish, with some small chips in the veneer on the door. The dial and hands are replacements. The tablet is original but has turned dark. movement signed. Clean label inside case. Height 14 inches
Sold: $81 | Date: November 6, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1884 Seth Thomas Clock Co., ÓCottageÒ, 8-day time/strike/alarm rosewood mantel clock.
Condition: Rosewood case is in excellent condition with an original finish. Original painted dial is flaking. Tablet is original. Movement has been recently cleaned, and is in good running order. Height 14.5 inches
Sold: $275 | Date: October 31, 2004 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Lot of 2: Seth Thomas One Day Cottages:
1) C.1880, Flat top Cottage D, with horse shoe shaped time only movement. Door of case has been refinished with spar varnish; top and bottom over-coated; sides are original finish. Dial is flaking and will need repainting. Thomaston label. Ht 9.3″ 2) C.1860, Octagon top, Cottage C (time and alarm, rectangular movement, winds at 3+7). The OG base has some veneer loss; other nicks and scrapes. Dial is poor and needs attn. Good Plymouth Hollow label. Tablets in both clocks are original and nice. Ht 9″ [23cm] One bid for both
Sold: $90 | Date: October, 22 2006 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts