This is a very good example of an inlaid mahogany case tall clock made in the Boston area of Massachusetts circa 1795. 217085.

This is a beautiful example of an inlaid mahogany case tall clock made in the Boston area of Massachusetts circa 1795.

The case exhibits traditional Boston proportions and features a form made popular by the Willard family of clockmakers and their apprentices. This example is not signed on the dial but was most certainly made by someone in this active community of clockmakers. This example stands approximately 8 feet 1 inches tall to the top of the center eagle finial. It is constructed in mahogany and retains a classic shellac finish, highlighting the sweeping grain pattern exhibited in the case construction. This case is decorated with a light line inlay and a central patera in the base. The secondary wood used to construct this case is New England white pine.

This impressive example stands on four applied ogee bracket feet. They are applied directly to the bottom of the case and the double-stepped base molding. The base panel exhibits an excellent horizontal grain pattern and is decorated with inlay. In the center of the panel is a full patera framed with a delicate line pattern that features ovolo corners. The waist section is long and accentuates the excellent proportions of the case. The large tombstone-shaped waist door is trimmed with an applied molding. Inset quarter columns, fully fluted and stopped with brass, are inset in the waist corners. They terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a traditional New England-style fret pattern with three capped final plinths. Each plinth supports a brass finial. An eagle is perched on top of the center finial. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns or colonnades visually support the upper bonnet molding. These are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. The sides of the hood are fitted with tombstone-shaped glazed side lights. The arched bonnet door is also fitted with glass and opens to access the painted iron dial. Please note the blue-painted dial mask. The interior edge of this mask is trimmed in gold paint.

This 13-inch wide unsigned dial features a moon phase or lunar calendar mechanism in the arch. The time track features Roman-style hour numerals. The five-minute markers are painted in an Arabic form. A subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar are inside the time ring. The four spandrel areas are decorated with lacy patterns of applied gesso and highlighted with gilt paint. Colorful birds are painted inside the time ring.

This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The winding drums are grooved. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for 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 on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.

This clock was made circa 1795.

The case has the following dimensions in inches: overall height of 97, width at the upper hood molding of 21.25, and depth at this location of 10.25.

It is inventory number 217085.