• Tall Case Clock, White House Collection
    E. Howard Watch and Clock Company
    furnishings
    furniture
    clocks
    This tall case clock by E. Howard Watch and Clock Company of Boston, Massachusetts was purchased for the White House in 1882 during the Chester A. Arthur administration. The clock was originally placed in the Cross Hall on the State Floor of the White House, where it remained until the 1930s when it was moved around to a number of rooms on the Ground Floor until 2003. President Arthur added a number of furnishings to the White House during his time office, though this clock was one of the few items to survive the 1902 White House renovation.
  • Registrar James Roe Ketchum in the White House Library
    Robert L. Knudsen
    staff
    refurbishment
    furnishings
    clocks
    Residence staff
    Library
    Ground Floor
    restoration
    In this photograph, James Roe Ketchum, a National Park Service employee, is shown in the restored White House Library placing a lighthouse clock by Simon Willard and Son. Ketchum was brought into the White House to assist in the busy curator’s office as a registrar. The registrar supports the work of the White House curator, who is responsible for managing and preserving the historic art and furnishings of the White House Collection to museum-quality standards. The White House Office of the Curator was created by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. In October 1963, at the age of 24, he was asked to take over as curator upon the departure of William Voss Elder III.
  • Chelsea Wall Clock, White House Collection
    Chelsea Clock Company
    furnishings
    clocks
    Ground Floor Corridor
    Ground Floor
    This wall clock was custom made by the Chelsea Clock Company of Chelsea, Massachusetts in 2020 and was a gift of the White House Historical Association to the White House Collection. The clock hangs in the Ground Floor Corridor of the White House above the doorway leading to the president’s elevator. The face of the clock features an eagle on the upper half that was inspired by the James Monroe state service. White House calligraphers did the hand-lettering and numbering on the dial including the inscription “The President’s House” on the lower half of the clock’s face.
  • Mantel Clock, White House Collection (Detail)
    Unknown
    clock
    This detailed closeup is of a black marble and malachite mantel clock. The clock has three dials (clock, calendar, and barometer) and a thermometer and was made in France. It was purchased from retailer Browne & Spaulding of New York City for the mantelpiece in the Cabinet Room during the Ulysses S. Grant administration. Until the construction of the West Wing in 1902, the Cabinet Room was on the east end of the Second Floor in the Executive Mansion.
  • Mantel Clock, White House Collection (Detail)
    Unknown
    clock
    This detailed closeup is of a black marble and malachite mantel clock. The clock has three dials (clock, calendar, and barometer) and a thermometer and was made in France. It was purchased from retailer Browne & Spaulding of New York City for the mantelpiece in the Cabinet Room during the Ulysses S. Grant administration. Until the construction of the West Wing in 1902, the Cabinet Room was on the east end of the Second Floor in the Executive Mansion.
  • Blue Room, Barack Obama Administration
    Matthew D'Agostino
    State Visit
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    clocks
    This detailed photograph of a gilded bronze mantel clock was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. The case of this clock was made by Denière et Matelin of Paris with Hannibal, the Carthaginian military commander and a famed war strategist of the ancient world, standing beside the clock housing. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection, including this piece.
  • Blue Room, Barack Obama Administration
    Matthew D'Agostino
    State Visit
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    clocks
    This detailed photograph of a gilded bronze mantel clock was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. The case of this clock was made by Denière et Matelin of Paris with Hannibal, the Carthaginian military commander and a famed war strategist of the ancient world, standing beside the clock housing. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection, including this piece.
  • Marble and Brass Mantel Clock
    Japy Freres et Cie
    clock
    This marble and brass mantel clock was made by Japy Frères et Cie of Beaucourt, France. The clock was purchased in 1859 during the Buchanan administration.
  • Clock and Barometer from U.S.S. Williamsburg, Cabinet Room
    Unknown
    clock
    This dual-faced clock with timepiece and barometer was photographed on the mantel of the Cabinet Room in 1960. It was originally from the U.S.S. Williamsburg, the Presidential yacht during the Truman administration. This photograph was taken by George Mobley of the National Geographic Service.
  • Bracket Clock
    Thomas Pearsall
    clock
    This mahogany bracket clock attributed to Thomas Pearsall and Effingham Embree of New York has a brass spring-driven movement and an American eagle on the dial. The bracket clock is an English form and in most cases exported to America, though a limited number were made domestically. The clock was a gift of the White House Historical Association to the White House in 1974.
  • Tall Case Clock
    James Doull
    John & Thomas Seymour
    clock
    This tall case clock by John and Thomas Seymour of Boston is done in the Federal style and has sophisticated inlays that are characteristic of the Seymours. The clock works were possibly done by James Doull of Charlestown, Massachusetts. The clock was a gift of the White House Historical Association in 1972.
  • Tall Case Clock
    Effingham Embree
    clock
    This tall case clock with musical works done in the Federal style was manufactured by Effingham Embree of New York. This is a supplemental piece added to the Diplomatic Reception Room following the donation of Federal furniture accepted by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower in 1960 for that room.
  • Gilded Bronze Clock
    Jean-Baptiste Dubuc
    clock
    This gilded bronze mantel clock by Jean-Baptiste Dubuc of Paris prominently displays an eagle and President George Washington. The eagle, likely inspired by the Great Seal of the United States, bears a shield and holds an olive branch in one talon and a group of arrows in the other. It stands balanced on a globe and faces to the left, toward Washington and the talon containing the arrows. Under the dial is an inscription from General Henry Lee's funeral oration for Washington: "Washington./ First in War./ First in Peace./ First in the Hearts of His Countrymen." The scene in relief on the base depicts Washington resigning his commission as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783.
  • Minerva Clock Maker's Mark
    Thomire & Co.
    clock
    This is the makers mark from the dial of the gilded bronze Minerva clock by Thomire and Co. of Paris. The clock has works by Louis Moinet and depicts Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. It was purchased during the Monroe Administration.
  • Gilded Bronze Mantel Clock (Hannibal), White House Collection
    Denière et Matelin
    clock
    The case of this gilded bronze mantel clock was made by Denière et Matelin of Paris. The figure standing beside the clock housing is Hannibal, the Carthaginian military commander and a famed war strategist of the ancient world. The clock commemorates Hannibal's great victories during the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage.
  • Mantel Clock, Jackson Administration
    Unknown
    clock
    This black marble mantel clock was originally purchased for the waiting room in 1833 during the Andrew Jackson administration, but it was moved to President Abraham Lincoln's office. When the president's offices were moved to the West Wing in 1902, this room was converted to a bedroom, known as the Lincoln Bedroom. This photograph shows the clock resting on the mantelpiece of the Lincoln Bedroom. A portrait of Andrew Jackson is reflected in the mirror.
  • Minerva Clock, Monroe Administration
    Thomire & Co.
    clock
    This gilded bronze clock by Thomire and Co. of Paris has works by Louis Moinet and depicts Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. It was purchased during the Monroe Administration.
  • Lighthouse Clock
    Simon Willard & Son
    clock
    This lighthouse-shaped clock was manufactured by Simon Willard & Son of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who began advertising this style of clock in 1822. This is the only one with a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, who was received at the White House in 1824 and 1825 when he returned to the United States on a farewell visit.
  • Mantel Clock, Maker's Mark
    Denière et Matelin
    clock
    This is the makers mark for a gilded bronze mantel clock made by Denière et Matelin of Paris that features a figurine of Hannibal, the Carthaginian military commander and a famed war strategist in the ancient world.
  • Lighthouse Clock, Maker's Mark
    Simon Willard & Son
    clock
    This is the makers mark for a lighthouse-shaped clock manufactured by Simon Willard & Son of Roxbury, Massachusetts. This is the only example of this type of clock with a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, who was received at the White House in 1824 and 1825 when he returned to the United States on a farewell visit.
  • Tall Case Clock
    Matthew D'Agostino
    clock
    State Floor
    This photograph of a tall case clock was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on July 20, 2017, during the Donald Trump administration. The clock is seen at the top of the stairway leading from the Ground Floor to the State Floor of the White House.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Green Room Fireplace, Kennedy Administration
    Bates Littlehales
    State Floor
    Green Room
    clock
    mantel
    This photograph of the Green Room fireplace was taken by Bates Littlehales in March 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Atop the intricately carved mantel is the Denière et Matelin gilded bronze mantel clock depticting the Carthaginian general Hannibal. On either side of the mantel are a pair of bronze-doré vases, likely purchased in 1817 during the James Monroe administration. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.