Horace Tift of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. A Wall timepiece or banjo clock. 224030.
This is an excellent example of a wall timepiece made by Horace Tift, North Attleboro, Massachusetts's first clockmaker.
The case is mahogany and retains an older finish. This iconic clock exhibits many design elements frequently used by clockmakers in this region. These include the shape of the mahogany finial plinth, turned wooden bezel, canted frames, and hook-style door latches. Traditionally, Attleboro clock tablets are decorated in black and gold paint and have a commercial appearance. This example features classic themes. The throat tablet is decorated with a vertical leaf design. The lower tablet is also decorated in black and gold. An elliptical center opening reveals the brass-faced pendulum bob. This is a dressier model than most since its sidearms are brass. The painted dial is signed "Tift." The brass movement is weight-driven and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The movement is mounted to the back of the case with two screws through the back plate. The cast iron weight is die stamped "H T." The "H T" stands for Horace Tift.
This clock measures approximately 34 inches long to the top of the turned wooden finial.
Inventory number 224030.
Horace Tift was born in Attleboro on December 18, 1804. His parents were Samuel and Nancy (Woodcock) Tift. He lived for 84 years and died in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 11, 1886. He was trained as a machinist in Millbury, MA, and later worked as a journeyman with Joseph Wyman in Dunstable, MA. In 1837, he and his wife, Orinda Blackington of Attleboro, moved back to Attleboro and set up shop. His clocks traditionally featured black and gold decorated glasses in canted frames, turned wooden bezels, and carved side arms. He sold a quality product at modest prices and established trade routes through the local jewelry businesses in New York and Philadelphia. He stopped making clocks in 1850 when he began manufacturing jewelry full-time. Tift maintained an office at 192 Broadway in NYC until 1862. The town of Attleboro became world-renowned for jewelry production.
