Elnathan Taber of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Tall case clock. 210033
This is a classic New England example. It exhibits the best of the Boston school proportions. The case is very narrow and measures approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial. It is this very form that all other New England tall clocks are judged against.
This inlaid mahogany case stands on four ogee bracket feet that support a double stepped base molding. These moldings are applied to the base panel. The base panel features a wonderful selection of mahogany wood that is laid out horizontally. The panel is also highlighted with a delicate line inlaid boarder that frames the front panel. The corners of this line inlay design are "cutout." The waist section of this case is very long and narrow. It centers a rectangular shaped waist door. The outside edge of this door is fitted with an applied molding. The mahogany veneer used on this door features a robust sweeping grain pattern. This is panel is also line inlaid. The sides of this case are fitted with brass stop fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is a fretwork style surmounted with three ball and spike finials. They are mounted on fluted and capped plinths. The bonnet columns are also brass stop fluted and terminate in brass capitals. The bonnet door is an arched form and is line inlaid. This door opens to access the wonderfully painted iron dial.
This dial is colorfully painted. The four spandrel areas feature floral designs and are framed with a delicate gilt boarder. In the raised arch, this clock displays a colorful pastoral scene. Two lovers have stolen the afternoon to sit on a bench and complicate their future. The hours, minutes, seconds and calendar day are all displayed with in the time ring. This dial is also signed by the Maker, \E. Taber \" in fancy lettering.
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 that will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.
This beautiful clock was made circa 1800. It stand approximately 8 feet tall to the top of the center finial.
210033
"
Elnathan Taber was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1768, and may have died in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on February 27, 1854, at the age of 86. His grave was moved from Dartmouth to Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain on October 29, 1870. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Swift) Taber. Elnathan is the older brother of Stephen Taber, whose fortune helped found Taber Academy in Marion, MA. Both brothers traveled to Roxbury and were trained as clockmakers by the Willards. Elnathan was just 16. After serving his apprenticeship, Elnathan stayed and worked in Roxbury. His shop was located on Union Street. Union Street was renamed Taber Street in April 1868 in his honor. He was the first resident of that street. William Cummens also moved there and set up shop at the corner of Winslow. This short street was between Warren Street and Winslow Street. Elnathan maintained a close working relationship with his mentor Simon and became one of his most famous apprentices. He was authorized by Simon to make his patent timepieces during the patent period. He was also a prolific repairman. His name can be found engraved on numerous Boston area-made clocks as a service record. Elnathan married Catherine Partridge in January 1797. They had four children between the years of 1797 and 1811. Catherine had three sisters who also married clockmakers. Her sister Elizabeth married Abel Hutchins, and Mary (Polly) married Aaron Willard. A third sister married Samuel Curtis. Over the years, we have owned and sold numerous tall case clocks made by this fine clockmaker. In addition, we have owned a good number of wall timepieces in the form of banjo clocks and coffin clocks, as well as several of the Massachusetts shelf clock forms.
