John McCall of DalKeith, Midlothian, Scotland. Tall case clock. 212084

This is a fine inlaid mahogany long-case clock has a painted dial that is signed "John McCall - Dalkeith." Dalkeith, Midlothian, is a town located on the River Esk just under 10 miles from the capital city of Edinburgh, located to the northwest. John McCall s listed in Donald Whyte's book, Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Scotland, as working in 1829. 

This is a wonderful example having an inlaid mahogany case. It is a manageable size and exhibits narrow proportions and richly-grained mahogany wood selections throughout its construction. This case has been appropriately refinished. The shellac finish accentuates the natural brown coloring of the mahogany. This case stands on an applied bracket base. The base features a thin cross-banded mahogany border that forms a frame and centers a figured mahogany veneered panel. A thin satinwood line inlay separates the cross-banding and the central panel. The waist section is fitted with a shaped door that shares the formatting found in the base panel. This door is positioned above an Irish panel that features an inlaid oval. Quarter columns are fitted in the front corners of the waist. These terminate in turned wooden capitals. These columns are fully fluted. The bonnet features a swan's neck pediment. The moldings appear to be somewhat compressed. Both moldings terminate in brass rosettes and help center a brass finial mounted on the central plinth. This bonnet is nicely inlaid. Fully turned columns that share the construction format found in the waist columns are mounted in brass capitals and flank the arched and glazed bonnet door. This door is hinged and opens to access the painted iron dial. 

This dial is signed by the Maker between the hours of nine and three. The signature is in a block letter format. The colorfully painted artwork located in the arch of this dial depicts a sportsman's theme. A country gentleman sits at the foot of a large tree with a rifle in one hand and a rabbit in the other. He is well-dressed and obviously a good shot. His two prized companions sit beside him as he admires his good fortune. Each of the spandrel areas is colorfully paint-decorated in floral themes. The time track features large Roman-style hour numerals.

This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned brass pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved to accept and guide the weight cord. Each holds approximately eight days of winding cord. The escapement is a recoil format. The movement is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement on a bell stand. 

This clock stands approximately 7 feet 4.5 inches to the top of the center finial. This clock was made circa 1800.

Inventory number 212084.