Joseph Mulliken (1787-1802) of Concord, Massachusetts. An inlaid cased tall clock. BBB-34.
This important inlaid cherry case tall clock was made by Joseph Mulliken of Concord, Massachusetts. The surface of the wood features a wonderfully warm, mellow patina. This case glows. It is standing on four nicely formed applied ogee bracket feet. They are mounted to a double-stepped molding that is attached to the base. This base panel is decoratively formatted. A delicate line inlay frames the panel. Quarter fans, comprising five blades of alternating light and dark woods, are fitted into each corner. This decorative inlay detail is repeated in the design of the waist door. In the center of the base panel is an inlaid oval. This oval or paterae also features alternating blades of light and dark wood. The waist section is fitted with a rectangular-shaped waist door. This is trimmed with applied molding. Open this, and one can access the two drive weights and the pendulum. The front corners of the waist section are fitted with brass stop-fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass quarter capitals. The open fretwork style bonnet is surmounted with three brass finials. The finials are designed with eagles that sit atop a ball. The eagles are depicted with their wings ready for flight. These are positioned on line fluted plinths. The bonnet features an arched door fitted with glass. The free-standing brass stop-fluted bonnet columns terminate in brass capitals. They visually support the hand-molded arch. The back of the hood is also fitted with quarter columns. These are nicely shaped. Tombstone-shaped side lights are cut out of the bonnet sides. This provides a viewing window to the mechanism.
The dial is colorfully painted and is signed by the Maker, "J. Mulliken / CONCORD," below the calendar aperture. This signature is in excellent original condition. The four spandrel areas are wonderfully decorated. On a blue background, one will find peaches and cherries. A lunar calendar is outfitted in the arch of this dial. This lunar calendar tracks the phases of the moon. The time ring is formatted with Arabic-style five-minute markers. A dotted minute ring separates the five-minute markers from the large Roman-style hour numerals. Inside the minute ring is a subsidiary seconds dial, month calendar day display, and the Clockmaker's signature.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four-turned pillars support the two rectangular-shaped brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. The movement is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. This clock retains its original tin can weights and pendulum.
This wonderful example was made circa 1790. It stands approximately 87.5 (7 feet 3.5 inches) inches tall, 20.5 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number BBB-34.
Joseph Mulliken was born in Lexington, Massachusetts, on April 9th, 1765. He is the son of Nathaniel Mulliken and Lydia Stone. As a result, he is a third-generation clockmaker. The Mulliken family has a long history of making clocks in America stretching back to his great uncle Jonathan Mulliken born about 1701 in Newburyport. Joseph is the first recorded clockmaker to live in work in Concord. He moved to Concord in 1787 and worked there until 1802. He lived in the center of town and became involved in local affairs.
David Wood of the Concord Museum reports that approximately 20 tall case clocks are known. The fancier of the cases are thought to have been made by Ammi White, who was born in Concord in 1754 and was at work there from 1790 through 1802.
