A dark cherry Tall Case Clock with a moon phase dial. New England origin

This fine cherry case tall clock was most likely made in Central Massachusetts. This case exhibits traditional New England proportions that are quite good. The cherry wood selected for the construction of this case is naturally on the darker side of the spectrum in color and is finished with a traditional shellac base finish. This coloring contrasts very nicely against a light wall and certainly would provide the room with some warmth which is in my opinion lacking in the current craze of painting everything white.

This is a well developed country case. It stands on nicely formed applied bracket feet. The waist is long and features a rectangular shaped waist door that is trimmed with an applied molding. The sides of this case are fitted with fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet or hood is fitted with a traditional New England style fretwork pattern. This pattern incorporates three finial plinths. Interestingly, the two on the outer edges of the case are fluted on two sides. Each plinth supports a brass finial. Fully turned and fluted bonnet columns are fitted into brass capitals and visually support the molded arch. Quarter round capitals are fitted into the back corners of the hood. Tombstone shaped side lights are incorporated in the sides of the bonnet. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass. It opens to access the painted iron dial.

This iron dial is colorfully paint decorated and features a lunar calendar or a moon phase mechanism in the arch. This is designed to display the current moon phase when set up correctly. The four spandrel areas are decorated with floral patterns and or themes. Slightly raised gesso patterns frame this colorful decoration. This dial displays the hours, minutes, seconds and calendar date in the traditional format. This dial is unsigned.

This movement is constructed in brass and is good quality. It is weight driven and designed to run eight days on a full wind. It is 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.

This very pleasing example was made circa 1800. It stands approximately 7 feet 9.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial. It is inventory number 29043.