Walter Crighton of Haddington, Scotland. A tall case clock. QQ-33.

 

This is a nicely figured mahogany long-case clock with a brass engraved silvered dial signed "Walter Crighton Haddington." Walter Crighton is listed in Donald Whyte's book Watchmakers & Clockmakers Scotland. Whyte lists him as a Clock and Watchmaker in Nungate, Haddington, East Lothian, about 1810. Haddington is a small town located approximately 15 miles to the east of the capital city of Edinburgh.

This is a beautiful example. It is a manageable size and exhibits good proportions and richly-grained mahogany wood selections throughout its construction. It has been appropriately refinished in a deep brown color. This case stands on four applied ogee bracket feet. The base features an applied molding that forms a decorative frame. The waist section is fitted with a shaped door. The sides of the waist are canted. This canted area terminates in a lamb's tongue molding. The hood or arched bonnet features a variation of a whale's tail fretwork pattern. Three fluted finial plinths support this. Brass ball and spike finials are mounted on top of the plinths. The hood door is arched and fitted with glass. This bonnet features canted molding, where one might expect to see bonnet columns. This is a nice variation of the typical bonnet design. These flank the arched and glazed bonnet door. This door is hinged and opens to access the engraved silvered brass dial.

The dial is brass and features an engraved chapter ring, seconds ring, and central boss. All of which have been silvered. The center of this dial is skillfully engraved with decorative scrollwork. The maker signs this clock in this central section of the dial, along with his working location.

The weight-driven movement is constructed in brass and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a bell mounted above the movement. Overall, it is good quality.

This clock stands approximately 7 feet 4.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial.

It was made circa 1800.

 

  • Walter Crighton of Haddington, Scotland. A tall case clock. QQ-33.
  • Walter Crighton of Haddington, Scotland. A tall clock. QQ-33.
  • Walter Crighton of Haddington, Scotland. A tall clock dial. QQ-33.