Hands of time
Astrid Donnellan, a master craftsperson who at the age of 87 restores antique clock dials on about 150 clocks a year. Two of her restored face plates of antique clocks sit on a table as she carries another clock to be restored. She works from her studio loft in her backyard barn. She began her career in 1985 and is one of a few female clock dial restorers with her caliber of expertise in the country. She uses real oil paint and fine sable brushes and 23k pure gold leaf in her restoration.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
The number of clock repair shops has been declining in the Boston area as skilled craftspeople retire and interest in antique clock collecting diminishes.
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Donnellan's restorations are noteworthy, though. She applied the gold leaf to the hands of the clock in
'Everything is a challenge.' Donnellan said as she dabbled her sable-hair brush into red ochre paint.
She points to a photograph of the Boston Custom House Tower clock hands that she restored by applying gold leaf to them in 1987.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
She considers herself an ornamental artist restoring the antique faces of clocks made of iron, metal, glass, and sometimes porcelain, mostly dating from 1790 to 1860. 'The most satisfying thing is that I'm saving history for people.' she said.
Many of her customers are from the PBS program
'This is going to be for the Obama Presidential Library. I have until June to finish it,' Donnellan said. It will be a reproduction of a grandfather clock, made between 1795-1805 in Boston by John and Thomas Seymour, that sits inside the Oval Office of the White House.
Donnellan sits in her usual comfy work chair wearing a brilliant purple sweater as she leans over a clock face adorned with dainty orange flowers. Carefully she outlines the number 7 before finishing it in black oil paint.
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Donnellan worked on a clock as one that she painted for herself sat on a table in front of her.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Her world is filled with a kaleidoscope of colors. Painted flowers appear three-dimensional against black backgrounds. Tarnished with time, clock dials sit on a table, waiting for her work. The pale yellow tones of a full moon and faded hues of a windmill scene will soon be glowing again after she's done.
Whispering, as if trying to keep a secret, Donnellan explains that she also restores bad restorations that come into her studio. 'They're just no good,' she says.
She's proud of her Old World painting techniques. 'I'm using oil paint just like the Old Masters,' she says. 'I sleep good at night knowing I restored a clock as close to original as I can.'
Clutching another clock dial, she laughs and says she hopes to live past 100 with all the work ahead of her. Only time will tell.
Donnellan carried an 1825 clock face plate into her studio in Hingham.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
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