A maple case tall clock made in New Hampshire. This case exhibits good solid country proportions. The form should be familiar to those that collect central New Hampshire tall clocks. These lighter colored cases contrast nicely and compliment other dark

This case is constructed primarily in maple and features a New England white pine backboard. The finish is quite old and has mellowed nicely over time. The case stands up on applied bracket feet that are well formed. The subtle shaping of their design and the spur or return is worth pointing out. The base section is constructed with a selection of tiger maple that is boldly grained. This pattern is positioned in a vertical format. A shaped molding transitions the base to the waist section. Here, a rectangular shaped waist door provides access to the weights and brass faced pendulum bob located inside the case. This door is trimmed with a simple molded edge. A nice construction feature worth mentioning are the exposed pins that secure the door fame. The bonnet is a swan's neck form. This pattern is found on a number of Concord area made cases. This example varies from the more common form by featuring horns or arches that exhibit good height. The more common form is somewhat compressed. The horns terminate in carved pinwheels. The three finial plinths each support a brass ball and spiked finial. The bonnet columns are simply turned and mounted in brass capitals. These visually support the arch molding. The bonnet door is also arched and fitted with glass. It opens to access the colorfully painted iron dial.

This colorfully painted dial is decorated with floral themes in each of the four spandrel areas. A bird is depicted in the lunette standing on a branch. The time track features large Roman numeral hour markers. The five minute markers are painted in an Arabic form. A subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar can be found in their traditional locations inside the time ring. The time is indicated by the two lovely hands. They are nicely formed and are a slight variation of the more traditional patterns.

The mechanism is constructed in brass and is 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 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. This is done on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement on a bell stand.

This clock was made circa 1800. The case and stands approximately 84 inches tall.

JAD 217035.