A tall case clock signed by the Wiscasset, Maine clockmaker, Benjamin Mead. SS-17.
This mahogany case is in excellent condition. The case stands on four nicely formed applied French feet. The base panel features vertical graining and is line inlaid. The pattern consists of a line border with ovolo pattern corners. The front corners of the waist section are fitted with the reeded quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. An inlay-decorated waist door provides access to the case interior. Here, one will find the brass-faced pendulum bob and the two drive weights. The bonnet features a traditionally formed pierced and open fretwork pattern. The frets are mounted in capped finial plinths. A brass ball-and-spiked finial is mounted on each plinth. Fully turned andreeded 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 colorfully painted-decorated. The four spandrel areas feature beautiful floral themes. A lunar calendar or moon phase mechanism is located in the arch of this dial. This dial also displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and calendar date in the traditional format. This dial is signed "B Mead / Wiscasset."
This movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days fully wound. It is a time-and-strike design with 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 beautiful clock was made circa 1804.
Inventory number SS-17.
It is currently thought that Benjamin Mead moved from Rhode Island as a trained clockmaker and set up shop with clockmaker and silversmith Daniel Dole in Wiscasset, Maine, in 1804. Mead placed an ad in The Eastern Repository and claimed he had eight-day timepieces for sale... In 1805, Mead moved to the coastal village of Castine and had a shop on a new street leading to the Ropewalk. In July of that year, he advertised for an apprentice in clockmaking and watchmaking. On April 17, 1806, he married Nabby Hall of Wiscasset. Several real estate transactions in the area are recorded involving Mead over the next few years. These land transactions list him as a clockmaker and as a shop owner. In 1810, he was listed as the secretary of the Castine Mechanics Association. In 1814, Benjamin moved back to Rhode Island. He is listed in Cumberland working as a jeweler and goldsmith. He also lived in Smithfield.
A small number of clocks are known to us. One tall clock is signed with the place location of Wiscasset, and the other Castine. Several spoons have been identified with his die-stamp, “B MEAD.”
