An inlaid mahogany Tall Case Clock with a painted dial signed John Bailey, Hanover. This fine example features an automated rocking ship dial. EEE-10.
The Quaker clockmaker John Bailey [1751-1823] produced this attractive Federal tall case clock. Bailey was a prolific maker in the Southeastern Massachusetts town of Hanover from the last quarter of the 18th Century through the first quarter of the 19th Century.
This clock exhibits both regional distinctions and high-style embellishments. The case has a pleasing mellow color and a clean historic surface. The molded hood is mounted with three rectangular-shaped fluted chimneys. Each chimney is capped and supports a brass ball-and-spire finial. The chimnies also support the regional scrolled and pierced fretwork. The pattern mimics the shape of the arch or cornice molding. The glazed tombstone-shaped dial door is decorated with line inlay. Fluted colonnettes with brass capitals and bases flank this door. This door opens to access the colorfully painted iron dial.
This finely painted iron dial is a Boston product painted by the region's premier ornamental artists, Nolen & Curtis. The dial measures 12 inches across and features a rocking ship display in the arch. The fully rigged painted ship is depicted flying the American flag from its stern. It is automated and moves or gently rocks from side to side with the pendulum's motion. The painted scene behind the vessel is quite interesting. The water is lively—a country home on the right built on a rocky point. A mountain range is in the background on the left. This nautical theme is painted on a convex piece of metal, which adds to the visual depth of the scene. The four spandrel locations are decorated with floral patterns. Arabic numerals are used to indicate the five-minute positions. A slashed minute circle divides these from the larger Roman-style hours. The dial is fitted with a seconds bit and a steel pointer above the center arbor. The center arbor is fitted with original steel heart-shaped hands. This dial is signed, "John Bailey / HANOVER."
This movement is constructed with "skeletonized" brass plates. "Skeletonizing" the plates is a process that removes the unused portions of brass by cutting these areas away. This creates a distinctive pierced, skeleton-like appearance. John Bailey II and his brother Calvin developed this thrifty technique to diminish the waste of expensive brass. Four-turned pillars support or space the two brass plates. They support the hardened steel shafts, polished steel pinions, brass gearing, recoil escapement, and grooved winding drums. This movement is a two-train design with a rack-and-snail striking system. As a result, it strikes each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. It is weight-powered and designed to run for eight days before rewinding. The movement is fitted with an original steel shaft pendulum with a brass-capped lead bob. The movement rests on a wooden "saddle board" and is original to the case. The movement has recently been serviced and is in excellent running condition.
The hood transitions to the waist section with a broad flared molding. The waist is set with fluted quarter columns terminating in brass capitals and bases. A large tombstone pendulum door is centered in the waist section. This door features an excellent selection of figured veneer. It is also decorated with two sets of line inlay. One pattern frames the edge of the door. This hinged door has a brass lock with a shaped keyhole escutcheon.
The waist transitions to the base section with another broad-flared molding. The base panel features a selection of veneer with long lines of grain that naturally alternate in light and darker tones. A tombstone-shaped geometric inlay pattern also decorates this panel. The base of the panel has stepped molding that joins bracket feet with shaped returns.
This fine case measures 91 inches tall to the top of the center finial. The hood molding is 21.25 inches across and 10.5 inches deep.
John Bailey made this clock circa 1805.
Inventory number EEE-10.
John Bailey II was born on May 6, 1751, in Hanover, Massachusetts, the son of Colonel John Bailey, a shipbuilder, and Ruth Randall Bailey. He died there 72 years later, in 1823. It is believed he learned clockmaking at a young age and may have been self-taught. John t on January 23, rained numerous apprentices, including his younger brothers Calvin and Lebbeus, his son John III, Joseph Gooding, Ezra Kelley, and Joshua Wilder from Hingham. Many of his apprentices moved to other towns in southeastern Massachusetts and became well-known in their communities. John was the most prolific clockmaker among the six Baileys involved in the craft.
John's clocks can be categorized into two main types. The first is a home-developed style, which often features sheet brass dials that are engraved and treated with a silver wash. Several examples we know of have movements constructed from wood, while others are made of brass with fully skeletonized plates. Some later models incorporate wooden winding drums. Notably, he produced both types of strike trains; we have seen signed examples that feature a count wheel setup and the more common rack and snail configuration. Very few clockmakers used both setups. The cases are usually made from indigenous woods like maple and cherry, showcasing pleasing country proportions without the sophistication of the Roxbury School. The 'Roxbury/Boston influence' refers to the design and craftsmanship styles that were popular in these areas at the time. Around 1790, this influence likely played a significant role in John's production. The movements in these examples more commonly feature fully plated mechanisms. Additionally, the cases resemble those produced by the Willard School to the north, which often showcase mahogany cases decorated with inlays. This second generation of output appears much more formal.
Over the years, our collection has included a diverse range of clocks crafted by John Bailey II. From tall-case clocks to dwarf clocks, banjo or wall timepieces, and the unique Massachusetts shelf clock form, his versatility as a clockmaker is truly intriguing.