A country case tall clock made in the Southeast region of New Hampshire near Rochester. GG-77.
This fine mixed-woods is in great condition. The case comprises several woods, including maple, bird's-eye maple, birch, mahogany, and pine. It still retains its original red wash finish, which was applied to make the various woods look similar in color. This was a common practice for rural cabinetmakers in the early 1800s. This clock stands on a simple cutout bracket base. The feet and the scrollwork are cut out of the base panels. The wood selected for the front panel, flaming birch, is well-grained. Waves of color climb upwards. The waist section is long and fitted with a rectangular-shaped door. This door is trimmed with a delicate applied molding along its perimeter edge. The cross-banded mahogany framing borders the veneered center panel of bird's-eye maple. This wood has an interesting grain structure. Smoothly turned quarter columns are fitted into the front corners of the waist and terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is a fretwork form that is traditionally found in New England. The fret pattern is a variant of the popular whale's-tails pattern. It is supported by three capped plinths, each with mounted brass finials. The free-standing hood columns are nicely shaped and more complex than most. The arched bonnet door opens to access the dial.
The painted iron dial is a Boston product. These American-manufactured dials became very popular in the early 1800s with American clockmakers, marking a shift from the standard English-painted dial. A Boston ornamental artist, Spencer Nolen, developed a business to fill this need. This fine example is decorated with apples in the four spandrel areas. These are surrounded by raised gesso scrollwork finished in gilt paint. A conch shell is painted in the lunette. The time ring is formatted with Arabic five-minute markers separated from the Roman-style hour numerals by a dotted minute ring. The seconds and month calendar displays are located inside this ring. Steel-shaped hands will display the correct time.
The clockwork is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a time-and-strike design with a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This clock is 7 feet 4 inches tall and should fit most homes.
This country tall case clock was made circa 1810.
This is a very popular case form, and versions of it are often seen in the marketplace. We have owned and sold a fair number of clock cases with similar design characteristics. Some of these have been signed examples. The names that we see frequently are James Cole and John Cross of Rochester, New Hampshire. We have also seen similar examples by Jacob Jones of Pittsfield and Elisha Smith Jr. of Sanbornton, New Hampshire.
Inventory number GG-77.
