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Elmer O. Stennes Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock - $3,200 (Easton, MD)
Hanson Street
condition:
good
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Offered to the discriminating collector.
Kinetic art and craftsmanship at its finest.
“Elmer Stennes banjo clocks are considered quite collectible and desirable, especially early models with high-quality Chelsea movements, original reverse-painted glass (like "Aurora" scenes), hand-painted dials, and gilt cases, with rarity driven by craftsmanship, use of rare materials (like hand-painted dials), and the limited production runs of specific models, making them valuable to collectors despite his infamous personal history. Rarity increases with features like gilded frames, convex glass, unique tablet paintings, or low production numbers, and some of his later prison-made cases are also sought after for historical significance”
This Girandole banjo Elmer Stennes clock features a mahogany and gilt case, painted metal dial with Arabic numerals, and signed "Elmer O. Stennes, Weymouth, Mass.” Case stamped 47 & 73. Please take note of the signature “bee” to the left of the 6. Adorned with gilt highlights and includes intricately barbed arrow and open loop hands. The brass 8-day time-only movement is also signed "E. O. Stennes, Weymouth, Mass." The lower door and convex throat of the clock showcases reverse-painted glass. The waist marked "Patent", flanked by pierced brass scrolls, over a round eglomise hinged panel with "Aurora" and chariot, with gilt ball surround, acanthus leaf drop. Top of the case is surmounted by a gilt carved eagle with spread wings on plinth. Clock came with an Antique Trader magazine cut out, dated 12.31.1980 on Elmer Stennes, clockmaker, in the case (see photos)
Excellent condition.
Superior craftsmanship.
Accessories: weight, pendulum, finial and key.
Date: 1973
Condition: Very good, six gilt balls on the bottom door have some minor flaking
Dimensions: 44 x 12 x 5.5 in
No buyer’s premium, no tax & no shipping fees if picked up
Payment options: Cash, PayPal, Zelle, bank cashier’s check
Additional photos upon request
Pick up only or buyer provides shipment
Additional photos upon request.
I will provide my time stamped photo with the clock of interest and date.
Thomas
NAWCC 0182283
$3,200.00 Cash sale
show contact info (call for details)
Easton, Maryland, 21601
History:
Elmer Stennes (1911-1975) was a self-trained cabinetmaker in East Weymouth, MA. He was well-known for making quality reproductions of classic style American clocks and cases. Today, he is best known for murdering his wife, Eva, in 1968. They were arguing over Elmer’s infidelity when he took out his .357 magnum derringer and killed Eva with a shot to the head. Elmer called the Weymouth police on himself, reportedly saying, "I know what I've done. I'll give you no trouble. The gun is here in my back pocket."
Stennes was arrested in his home and later released on a $25,000 bond. He continued to make clocks, which he branded with the initials, “O.O.B.,” to signify his new status “out on bond.” Stennes pleaded not guilty to murder, but admitted guilt to manslaughter, and was sentenced to eight to ten years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Plymouth.
Elmer entered M.C.I.P. in October of 1969, and was paroled on January 12, 1973. While incarcerated, he taught carpentry and carried on his clock case business using the prison equipment and fellow inmates as assistants. Foster Campos (Stennes’ employee at his shop in East Weymouth) brought wood and other supplies into the prison, and took cases back to Tick Tock Lane for finishing and sale. The clocks Elmer made while in prison were marked M.C.I.P. for the name of the prison, or, alternatively, “Made Case in Prison.” After his parole, Stennes returned to his cabinet shop.
On December 15, 1973, Stennes married Phyllis Means. On October 4, 1975, the couple was shot while they were sleeping. Elmer was shot five times, and Phyllis was shot seven. When the police arrived, she was covered in blood, screaming that Elmer was dead.
Phyllis accused her 24-year-old stepson Elliot of being one of the shooters. She claimed that she had seen his face, recognized his clothes, and heard his voice say, “Dad.” However, five witnesses testified that at the time of the shooting, Elliot had been with them at a bar in Franconia, New Hampshire. The charges against him were dropped.
The murder of Elmer Stennes has never officially been solved.