Enoch Burnham of Paris, Maine. A mahogany cased tall clock. AAA-16.
The form of this case is common to the New England region. The case exhibits excellent narrow proportions. This fine example is somewhat unusual in that it features mahogany construction. White pine is used as the secondary wood. Mahogany would have been a difficult wood to come by in this rural community in the early 1800s. This case was surely specially ordered for a wealthy client. It has been recently refinished, so the grain pattern exhibited in the wood is highlighted and easy to see. Overall, it is in excellent condition. This fine example stands on cut-out feet. The feet are nicely formed and have excellent height. The design incorporates a very subtle drop apron that drops from the base section. The base panel is trimmed with beaded molding that frames the perimeter. The panel is wonderfully figured. The rectangular waist door is fitted into the waist section. It is also trimmed with an applied beaded molding that is a bit more robustly made than the one used in the base section. The sides of the waist are fitted with inset quarter columns. They are finely reeded and terminated in turned wooden quarter capitals. At the bottom, these are supported on veneered blocks. The veneer appears to be maple and is lightly finished for contrast. The bonnet features a traditional New England-style fretwork top. The pattern is unusual and original to this clock. The frets are original to this clock and are supported by three finely reeded and capped chimney plinths. Three brass finials are mounted on top of these plinths. The bonnet columns are also reeded and mounted into brass capitals. They flank the veneered bonnet door, which is an arched form and is fitted with glass. This door opens to access the painted iron dial.
This colorfully painted iron dial was manufactured in Boston by Spencer Nolen. It is an iron dial that is attached directly to the movement without a false plate. It is skillfully decorated, featuring traditional themes for this period. The four spandrel areas are decorated with geometric patterns, garlands, and leaves. The colors are robust. Dotted gesso patterns frame these details. In the arch, one will find colorfully painted swags. This dial is signed by the clockmaker below the calendar aperture. It reads, "Enoch Burnham / Paris," in script lettering. The time track is displayed in a traditional format. The hours are scheduled with Roman hour numerals. Each of the five-minute markers are indicated in Arabic form. This dial also shows the seconds on a subsidiary dial and the month's date in an aperture located below the center arbor.
The movement is brass, eight-day duration, and is of good quality. It is weight driven and features a rack and snail strike system and a recoil escapement. The pendulum features a brass-faced bob.
This case measures 7 feet 10 inches (94 inches) to the top of the center brass finial. This case is 9.5 inches deep and 16.75 inches wide at the feet. This fine clock was made circa 1805.
Inventory number AAA-16.
It is not known where Enoch Burnham was born. It appears he was born in the Paris area sometime around 1770. Paris is a town that is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Portland in Oxford County. It is the county seat. It is a charming village having wonderful views of Mt. Chocorua and Mt. Washington in the White Mountains. Excellent pastures and orchards have thrived in this region. The Little Androscoggin River provided water power for this region. Burnham was well-established as a clockmaker in Paris prior to 1800. Jonathan Bemis is listed as one of his apprentices who also worked there. It is recorded that Burnham owned a considerable amount of land in this small farming community. He is recorded as living in Westbrook in the 1820s until his death sometime before 1850.
Very few clocks by Burnham are known. Most of the tall case clocks reported are signed on the dial. The place location usually listed is Paris. A Westbrook example is known. For a more complete listing of these Makers, please review "Clockmakers & Clockmaking in Maine 1770 - 1900," written by Joseph R. Katra Jr.
