Warranted for Mr. Nathaniel Frost. Tall clock made by William Cummens of Roxbury, MA. This example is a giant measuring 108 inches tall. UU-69.
This impressive Boston example exhibits an oversized case that is well-proportioned and incorporates the finest woods. It is constructed by the Boston school of cabinetmakers. This case measures approximately 108 inches tall to the top of the center finial. The dial is 13 inches across.
This figured mahogany case is lined inlaid. The case stands on four nicely formed flared French feet. The feet are applied to the bottom of the base. The base panel features a selection of crotch veneer that is formatted in a vertical position. This panel is also delicately lined inlaid with a string that features cut-out corners. The long rectangular-shaped waist door is also vertically grained. The pattern is consistent with that found in the base panel. The door is also fitted with applied molding that frames the outside edge. One would open this door in order to gain access to the inside of the case where the pendulum and weights are located. The sides of the case are fitted with the traditionally formatted brass stop-fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is a pierced and open fretwork form and is surmounted with three large brass ball and spiked finials. These finials are supported on fluted plinths. Fully turned and brass-stop fluted bonnet columns support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted iron dial.
This iron dial is of Boston manufacture and is very colorfully paint-decorated. It is signed on the back by the artist. It is signed "SN" (Spencer Nolen).
Spencer Nolen was born in Roxbury in 1784. In his book Willard's Patent Time Pieces, Paul Foley suggests that Nolen may have been trained by or worked with John Ritto Penniman. Nolen was well connected with the Willards. He married Aaron Willard's daughter, Nancy, in 1808 and had a partnership with her Father under the name Willard & Nolen. Nolen died in Philadelphia on June 17, 1849.
The arch of the dial depicts a water wheel scene. This was a popular theme for Nolen. We have owned several clocks with very similar scenes. The four spandrel areas feature decorative medallions set on an interesting field of color. The hours, minutes, and seconds are all displayed in a traditional format. This dial does not show the calendar day. The Maker's name, "WM CUMMENS," is centered below the winding arbors. It also displays the original owner's name, "WARRANTED FOR MR. NATHANIEL FROST "in large block lettering just inside the upper section of the time ring.
A google search for Nathaniel frost produces the partnership of Seaver and Frost (William Seaver and Nathaniel Frost), Boston area chair makers working circa 1790 -1803. There was also a Nathaniel Frost, who was a sea captain from Gorham, Maine.
This movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight driven and designed to run eight days on a full wind. It is 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 which is mounted above the movement.
This beautiful clock was made circa 1800. It stands approximately 9 feet tall to the top of the center finial. It is 20.5 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number UU-69.
William Cummens was born in 1768 and died on April 20, 1834, at the age of 66. He worked in Roxbury as a clockmaker as early as 1789. He was trained by Simon Willard, along with Elnathan Taber, Cummens stayed in Roxbury and worked alongside the Willard clockmaking family for many years. Based on the large number of clocks that have survived, they must have had an excellent relationship with one another. In this Roxbury location, Cummens had direct access to the same suppliers, such as case makers and dial painters, that the Willard family used. As a result, his clocks are nearly identical in form. Cummens was one of the first persons authorized by Simon Willard to manufacture the new Willard Patent Timepiece. Over the past 55-plus years of being in the business of buying and selling clocks, we have owned and sold a substantial number of tall case clocks, Massachusetts shelf clocks, and wall timepieces signed by this important clockmaker.
