Ansel Turner of Roxbury, Massachusetts. A cross-banded tall clock. 213142.
This tall case clock is elegantly proportioned and stands approximately 7 feet 11 inches high to the top of the center finial. The case is made from a variety of woods, including mahogany, mahogany veneers, rosewood cross-banding, and New England white pine.
This elegant clock rests on four beautifully designed ogee bracket feet attached to the lower base molding. The base panel showcases a richly grained selection of vertically positioned mahogany veneer framed by a cross-banded border made of rosewood. The contrasting colors of the mahogany and rosewood enhance the overall appearance.
The rectangular waist door is quite long and also has a cross-banded border. The outer edge is trimmed with applied molding. The sides of the clock case feature brass stop-fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass capitals
The bonnet is designed with a New England-style fretwork pattern. It includes three fluted finial plinths, each supporting a brass ball and spike finial. Flanking the arched, line-inlaid bonnet door are fully turned brass stop-fluted bonnet columns that end with turned brass capitals. The bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to reveal the painted dial inside.
Boston ornamental artists Spencer & Nolen designed and decorated this iron dial. The four spandrel areas feature intricate gilt designs raised off the dial's surface with applied gesso. An automated lunar calendar is located in the arch. The time track displays the twelve hours using Roman numerals, while each five-minute marker is indicated in Arabic numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned in the traditional location. The clockmaker's name is written above the Roman numeral six.
This fine movement is brass and features four turned pillars supporting two brass rectangular-shaped plates. Hardened steel shafts support polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and grooved winding drums. The escapement operates on a recoil mechanism. This weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days with a full wind. It has a two-train design, functioning as both a timepiece and a striking mechanism, utilizing a rack and snail striking system. Consequently, it strikes on the hour, each hour, on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This clock was made circa 1805.
Inventory number 213142.
Ansel Turner was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on October 20, 1787, and died in Savannah, Georgia, on October 3, 1814. Turner was listed as a clockmaker in the 1810-14 Roxbury Voting Lists. He was taxed in Roxbury in May 1809 for "1 Poll + for Knower's shop". This suggests that he may have been in business with Daniel Knower, who is also listed as a clockmaker. (Roxbury Town Records) Turner advertised from Roxbury Street in December 1811 that he was "compelled (by bodily indisposition) to relinquish his present line of business, and offers for sale, an elegant assortment of Clocks and Patent Timepieces, Clock Weights, Catgut, &c. Likewise - a complete set of Clockmakers Tools & Materials." His Savannah death records indicate Turner was a Clockmaker from Massachusetts and died at the young age of 25. (NEHGR, Vol. 125, p. 35) An early patent timepiece with cross-banded frames and a tablet marked "S. Willard's Patent" is known with the movement inscribed "A. Turner, No. 27, 1809". (Sold at Schmitt's 10/2017.) Three signed painted dial tall case clocks are known. All three feature Roxbury-style cases.
Please read Paul Foley's, Willard's Patent Time Pieces for additional information about this clockmaker.
