John Wood of Grantham, UK. Tall case clock. PP-141.

 

A finely crafted mahogany longcase clock showcasing detailed design features, intended to inspire admiration among antique enthusiasts and collectors. 

This clock case is wonderfully designed. It measures 7 feet 9.5 inches tall to the top of the brass finial. The base stands on applied bracket feet. The forward-facing panel is cross-banded with a mahogany border. This frames a figured panel. The waist section is long and narrow, featuring a nicely shaped waist door and fluted columns inset into the case's corners. The fluted columns terminated in turned wooden capitals. The upper bonnet molding is supported by numerous modillion moldings evenly spaced along the lower section. The facade of this waist molding features a Greek key design. This supports the bonnet, which features a swan-neck pediment. The arches terminated in a carved rosette. Pierced and open frets decorated the center section. Inset blind frets are incorporated in the facade. The door is arched, glazed, and tomb-stoned shaped. Fully turned and fluted bonnet columns ending in brass capitals flank its sides. The upper capitals are Corinthian in style. This case exhibits good wood selections throughout its construction. 

The brass composite dial predates the painted dial. It is composed of a brass base sheet, decorated with applied spandrels and chapter rings. In the arch of the dial is a silent / strike indicator. This allows one to turn the striking portion of the clock on and off by manually moving the indicating hand. The large chapter ring is also applied to the dial. This ring displays the hours in Roman numerals. The five-minute markers are indicated at each hour position. The center of this section is nicely engraved with a floral motif that surrounds a subsidiary seconds dial, which is engraved, and a calendar. It is in this location that this dial is signed with the Maker’s name, “John Wood,” and his working location, "Grantham." The steel hands are nicely made. 

Behind the dial is a brass weight-driven movement. It is designed to run eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a cast-iron bell. A seaboard supports the movement in the case. The pendulum features a metal rod and a brass-faced lead bob.  It is of good quality. 

This clock was made circa 1785.

Inventory number PP-141.

  • John Wood of Grantham, UK. Tall case clock. PP-141.
  • John Wood grandfather clock. PP-141.
  • John Wood tall clock. PP-141.
  • John Wood tall clock dial. PP-141.
  • John Wood tall clock. PP-141.