Nathaniel Shipman of Norwich, Connecticut. A rare Connecticut tall clock clockmaker. QQ-20.
This is a fine Chippendale cherry case tall clock with a silvered brass dial signed "Shipman Norwich." QQ-20.
This cherry case tall clock is elevated on four boldly formed Connecticut-style ogee bracket feet that incorporate a double return into their design. The base is fitted with an applied scalloped detail below the lower waist molding. The waist is long and centers the tomb-stone shaped door. Fluted quarter columns that terminate in turned wooden quarter capitals flank the sides of the waist. The hood with a molded arch molding is surmounted with a whale's tail fret and three wonderfully carved flame finials. The bonnet columns are fluted and terminated in turned wooden capitals. The bonnet door is arched in form and glazed, opening to a beautifully engraved silvered brass dial.
This dial is inscribed "Shipman Norwich" in the subsidiary seconds dial. A lunar calendar or moon phase mechanism is located in the arch. This is interesting because the background is painted blue and decorated with stars. The calendar aperture is quite large, which follows the traditional format of many Norwich clocks.
The brass-constructed movement is weight powered and designed to run eight days on a full wind. A rack and snail system actuates the strike train. This clock is designed to strike each hour on a bell mounted above the movement on a stand.
This clock stands approximately 7 feet 7 inches tall overall. It was made circa 1790.
Inventory number QQ-20.
Nathaniel Shipman was born on May 17, 1764, in Preston, Connecticut. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Leffingwell) Shipman. In 1777, he apprenticed to the renowned English-born clockmaker Thomas Harland of Norwich. By 1785, Nathaniel had set up his shop in Norwich. At that time, his account books suggest that he was active as a clockmaker and a silversmith. He made dials for his Master, Thomas Harland. He also worked with pewter, glass, jewelry, and watches. He gave up clockmaking in 1796 and became a farmer and an investor in the West India Trade. On October 14, 1794, Nathaniel married Abigail Coit of Peston, CT. Nathaniel died on July 14, 1853, in Norwich.
