Jonathan Barker and Samuel Taylor formed a partnership as Barker & Taylor sometime before 1807. Little is currently known of these two individuals And their clock are considered rare. Based on the number of clock that have survived, they were not prolific clockmakers. This is only the second we have seen signed by this partnership in the 45 years of collecting clocks. It is interesting to note that we currently own a clock signed “J. Barker, Ashby.” It features a wooden geared movement that shares the same construction characteristics and format of the Ashby Clockmaking school. In addition, the painted dial is from there as well. As a result, it is logical to assume that Barker received his training there and later moved to Worcester and joined Taylor in the Barker & Taylor venture. It is recorded that Barker died in 1807. Samuel Taylor was born in 1780 and died in 1864. He is listed as a clockmaker in 1807 through 1856. So it is reasonable to assume that he carried on the business after Barker died.

This unusual case is constructed in pine and retains it’s original surface. The pine was wash over in a brown stain that was intended to simulate the coloring of mahogany. This treatment is still consistent throughout. The case form pays homage to an earlier simpler period. The bonnet is fitted with a caddy top. The bonnet door is an arched form and is fitted with glass. This door is hinged on the right. Four bonnet columns are fluted and fitted into the corners of the case These visually support the bonnet moldings. The section waist is long and very narrow. The length of the waist adds to the interesting proportions of this case. A long and narrow tombstone shaped waist door is fitted in this section. Interestingly, this door is hinged on the right. Through this door, one can gain access to the weights and pendulum. The base is quite short and rests flat to the floor. My first impression is that the height of this base is suspicious and has been shortened. This may in fact be true but, further evaluation is that it has been formatted this way for an extended period of time. The molding used to transition the base to the waist is nicely formed.

The wooden arched dial is colorfully painted. The four spandrels and the arch are decorated with a strawberry theme. This dial is signed by the Makers above the Roman numeral six on the time ring. The time ring is formatted with Roman hour numerals and Arabic numerals are used at the five minute intervals. Pewter hands indicate the time. This dial is then attached to the wooden movement with two batons or strips that receive the four wooden dial feet and are pinned in place. The wooden geared movement is the construction one expects from the Ashby Massachusetts clockmaking school. The winding of this example is done by pulling a cord from inside the waist of the case. The movement is a time and strike design and of fine quality. It is designed to run 30 hours on a full wind. It features a count wheel striking system that will strike each hour on a cast iron bell. The count wheel is located on the outside of the movement on the back plate This clock was made circa 180o. The overall height of this example is approximately 6 feet 10 inches tall.