A Boston area circa 1795 inlaid mahogany tall case clock. Unsigned. XXSL32

This is an very good example of an inlaid mahogany case tall clock made in Boston area of Massachusetts circa 1795.

This case exhibits traditional proportions. This form was made popular by the Willard family of clockmakers and their apprentices. This example is not signed on the dial but was surely made by someone in this community. This example stands approximately 7 feet 5 inches tall. It is constructed in mahogany and is line inlaid. The secondary wood used in the construction the construction of the case is white pine.

This case stands on an applied ogee bracket feet. They are applied directly to the bottom of the case and to the applied base molding. The base panel is decoratively line inlaid. Multiple line inlay patterns are use. The interior pattern incorporates ovolo corners. The waist section is fitted with a large rectangular shaped waist door. It is also line inlaid and is trimmed with an applied molding. The sides or corners of the waist are fitted with inset quarter columns. The are fully fluted and stopped with brass. The columns terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is fitted with a traditional New England style fret. The fret work is support by three fluted chimney or final plinths that are capped at the top. These support the three brass finials. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns or colonnettes visually support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free standing. The sides of the hood are fitted with tombstone shaped side lights and they are fitted with glass. The arched bonnet line inlaid door is also fitted with glass and opens to access the painted dial which is not signed.

This dial is colorfully painted. The time track is done in two separate formats. The hours are indicated in Roman numerals. The five minute markers are painted in an Arabic form. A subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar can bee seen inside the time ring. The four spandrel areas and the arch of the dial are colorfully decorated with floral themes.

This fine movement is constructed in brass and is good quality. Four turned pillars support the two 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 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 which is mounted above the movement.

XXSL32