William Cummens of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Signed Spencer Nolen Rocking ship Dial number 17. SS-9.
This is a fine inlaid mahogany case tall clock exhibiting excellent proportions and a painted rocking ship dial signed by the Roxbury, Massachusetts Clockmaker, William Cummens.
This is a very handsome example. The case exhibits an excellent choice of mahogany and mahogany veneers, with a strong grain pattern and an older finish. This case stands on four pad feet applied to the bottom of a double-step molding. This molding forms a free-flowing skirt between the feet. The base panel is line inlaid and features inlaid quarter fans in each corner. This pattern is repeated in the long rectangular-shaped waist door. This door is also trimmed with an applied molding. One can access the original tin can weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob through this door. The bob is supported by a wood rod. Brass-stopped fluted quarter columns flank the waist. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet columns are also stopped-fluted with brass and are fitted into brass capitals. These visually support the molded arch. Above this is a pierced and open fretwork design. It is a traditional New England-style pattern incorporating three brass ball-and-spiked finials mounted on fluted chimney plinths. The arched bonnet door is lined inlaid and is fitted with glass. It opens to access the painted iron dial.
This iron dial was painted in Boston, and the artwork is attributed to Spencer Nolen and Samuel Curtis. This dial is signed on the back, "N17." Nolen often numbered his dials, and others have been discovered marked in a similar format. It is interesting to note that this dial does not incorporate a false plate. This implies that it was on hand when the clockmaker made the movement. The four spandrel areas are painted and decorated with colorful florals. The time ring is formatted in a traditional display. The hours are marked in Roman numerals, and the five-minute markers are painted in Arabic. A wonderful coastal scene is painted in the arch of this dial. This arch is slightly concave. This shaping provides the space for the automated ship to move in front of the painted scene. This sailing ship is automated by the motion of the pendulum. As a result, it will gently rock side to side with the pendulum's motion. This automated display is a very desirable feature. The ship is depicted flying two American Flags. It is located off the American coast. We know this because a lighthouse is standing in the background to the left and is also flying an American flag. The Maker signs this dial, "W. CUMMENS / WARRANTED." This block letter signature can be seen within the time track.
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 and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. 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. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This clock was made circa 1795 and stands approximately 7 feet 9.5 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number SS-9.
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.
