An unsigned Maryland-origin Tall Case Clock. It was possibly made by A. & W. Johnston in Hagerstown, Maryland. The brothers Johnston worked together from 1834-1837. 221237.
This very tall case clock exhibits wonderful narrow proportions. It is constructed in mahogany and is line inlaid. The mahogany selected is richly figured and enhanced by a modern finish.
This clock stands on four slender flared French feet. These transitions smoothly into a delicate scroll pattern that flows from one foot to the next. The front corners of the base are slightly chamfered. This detail terminates in a simple lamb's tongue molding. The base panel features a book-matched selection of mahogany that is framed with a light line inlay. The waist is very long and very narrow. The rectangular-shaped waist door is veneered with mahogany veneer that exhibits long sweeping lines. The outer edge of this door is fitted with a cock beaded edge molding. The front corners of the waist are also chamfered. The bonnet features a delicate swans neck pediment that is trimmed with light line inlay. The three brass ball and spiked finials are centered at the top of the case on plinths. The center finial is positioned above a decorative inlaid floral panel. The swan's neck arches terminate in lovely brass rosettes. Decoratively turned bonnet columns flank the arched glazed door, which opens to a colorfully painted iron moon phase dial.
The 14-inch iron dial is decorated in paint. The four spandrel areas feature colorful floral patterns. In the lunette is a lunar calendar or a phase of the moon display. Between the moons are two scenes. The first is a pastoral scene. Opposing this is a woman in a full-length blue dress with a bird perched on her hand. The time ring features Arabic five-minute markers. The minute ring is dotted. Large Roman-style numerals are used to indicate the hours. From the center arbor, one will notice that four hands originate here. The hour and minute hands are a matching set. These hands are a characteristic of the Hagerstown clockmakers A. & W. Johnston. Note the hour hand with two circles and the barbed minute hand. The sweep second hand is delicately formed and counterbalanced. The month calendar is a simple form and points to the calendar day displayed on the inside of the time track.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Interestingly, only three turned brass pillars are used to support the two rectangular cast brass plates. The posts are shouldered at the ends and decorated with ring turnings. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are smooth. Each drum holds approximately eight days of winding cord. The escapement is a recoil format and is displayed with a sweep second hand. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is two trains 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 mounted above the movement on a bell stand.
This clock was made circa 1835. It stands an impressive 9 feet tall.
Inventory number 221237.
