Samuel Underhill of Wolverhampton, England. A mahogany veneered tall case clock. 215042.
This attractive long case clock features a painted dial signed by \Samuel Underhill of Wolverhampton (Staffs), England.\" Samuel Underhill is listed in Brain Loomes's reference book, \""Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World.\"" Loomes listed him at work in 1826 Ð 35. Underhill is also recorded as a bottle jack maker.
The case exhibits solid masculine proportions. It is veneered in mahogany and features mahogany accents and rosewood banding. The rosewood frames several decorative patterns. The current finish has a deep brown coloring that is rich and warm and compliments the clock.
This case stands on flared French feet. The base is designed with canted corners. As a result, the lower waist molding is a modified form to compliment this detail. The center panel is decoratively inlaid. A broad cross-banded border frames the outer edge. A wide line inlay separates this from the figured panel. The waist section features forward corners that are fitted with fully turned columns. These are decoratively turned with rings and spirals and mounted in brass capitals. The lower capitals are a Doric form. The upper capitals are a complete Corinthian form. The waist door features a shaped design at the top and is cross-banded in rosewood. Six individual mahogany panels are located in the frame of the waist section. Line veneer trims each panel. These panels are set under and above the waist columns. Larger panels are placed on either end of the door. The bonnet features a swan's neck pediment. These are nicely formed and terminate in turned wooden rosettes. They center a decorative wooden plinth. The facade is formatted with several inlay patterns. Fully turned and fancifully shaped bonnet columns resemble the form exhibited in the construction of the waist version. They are mounted similarly and flank the sides of the arched door. The bonnet door is veneered in mahogany and fitted with glass. This opens to allow one access to the painted dial.
This iron dial is very colorful. Each of the four spandrel areas is painted decorated with figures representing the four continents. In the arch is a lunar calendar or a moon phase mechanism. The Clockmaker's signature and working location are clearly signed below the center arbor. The time ring features Roman-style hour numerals. The two wonderfully detailed brass hands indicate the hour and minutes. A subsidiary seconds dial can be found below the Arabic-style hour numeral XII. This clock also has a calendar.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is good quality. Four turned pillars support the two rectangular-shaped brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is a recoil format. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days. 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 mounted above the movement.
This clock stands 8 feet tall. The case is 24.5 inches wide and 12 inches deep measured at the bonnet. This fine example was made circa 1830.
Inventory number 215042.
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