A Rare Federal Mahogany and Inlaid Tall Case Clock By John Bailey II, Hanover, Massachusetts, Circa 1804. The clock case attributed to Abiel White. XXSL-38.
This attractive Federal tall case clock is an early example produced by the Quaker clockmaker John Bailey [1751-1823]. 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. Many of the attractive clock cases that house Bailey's movements are attributed to the Weymouth cabinetmaker Abiel White [1766-1844]. Bailey had a lengthy and successful relationship with White, which commenced at the turn of the 19th Century. Abiel White received his training as an apprentice to the renowned Dorchester, Massachusetts, cabinetmaker Stephen Badlam. White's cabinet work reflects the high-style forms and techniques he acquired during his years in Boston. His clock cases are in refined Hepplewhite forms with pleasing proportions constructed of richly grained mahogany with vibrant contrasting inlays. This clock is an early example that exhibits both regional distinctions and high-style embellishments. Current scholarship that outlines construction techniques and catalogs other similar examples can strongly attribute this case to Abiel White and establish a specific date of manufacture. This clock is illustrated and discussed in "Harbor & Home, Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850", plates 85 & 85.1, pages 246-247.
The clock has a pleasing mellow color with a historic surface. The molded hood is mounted with three rectangular chimneys, which frame a wonderful regional scrolled and pierced fretwork. The chimneys are each mounted with brass ball and spire finials. The fretwork and chimneys rest atop a molded arched cornice, all above a glazed tombstone-form dial door. Colonnettes with brass capitals and bases flank this door with a brass lock and keyhole surround. This door opens to a finely painted iron dial of Boston origin.
The dial features a painted moon phase disk in the lunette, decorated with hand-painted scenes in wonderful original condition. On one side is a detailed view of a rustic coastal cottage with a fisherman opposite a starry sky with a shooting star. At the base of the lunette are two hemispheres, each decorated with terrestrial map transfers. The clock face, which has Roman numerals to demark the hour and an outer ring of Arabic numerals to demark the minutes, is framed with classical gilt scroll-form spandrels.
The dial also features a seconds bit above the center arbor that is fitted with original steel hands. The hour and minute hands are wonderfully scrolled. The dial is signed below the center arbor with the maker's name and locale in bold block lettering, "John Bailey / Hanover." The brass, weight-driven, time-and-strike, eight-day movement rests on a pine saddle board and is original to the case. The movement retains an original pair of tin can weights and a pendulum with a steel rod and a brass-capped lead bob. The movement has been recently 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 with brass capitals and bases flanking a molded rectangular pendulum door. The pendulum door has a cross-banded rosewood border with geometric stringing and corner quarter fans framing a choice panel of richly-grained mahogany. 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 has a similar wide cross-banded border around a geometric inlay and a vibrant mahogany panel. A distinctive radial fan inlay is found at the center of this panel. This motif is often associated with the work of Stephen Badlam and is a technique that Abiel White brought to his cabinetmaking. The base of the panel has a stepped molding that joins bracket feet with shaped returns.
Dimensions: Height: 85", with center finial, Width at base: 20 ½", Depth: 10".
Inventory number XXSL-99.
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.
