A colorful unsigned cherry case tall clock. Possibly Rochester, New Hampshire origin. 221034A.
This Rochester, New Hampshire area tall case clock features a cherry wood case and a modern finish that compliments the grain pattern and the wood's warm coloring. We have owned a fair number of Rochester area cases that stand on simple turned feet and feature an inset base panel. This group of clocks also featured Boston-painted dials. It is interesting to note that the Rochester, NH, Clockmakers James Cole and James Cross signed several of these.
This cherry case stands on feet. The two fronts are turned and nicely shaped. They exhibit good form and are nicely detailed with ring turnings. An applied molding is fitted to the bottom of the base. The base section features an inset panel. The waist is long and features a rectangular-shaped door. This door is trimmed with a simple molded edge. Unlock and open this door, and you will gain access to the two drive weights and pendulum. The sides of the waist section are fitted with fluted quarter columns. These are mounted in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a whale's tail style fretwork design. Three fluted finial plinths support the brass ball and spike finials. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass. The fluted bonnet columns are mounted in brass capitals. These columns visually support the upper bonnet molding. Tombstone-shaped side lights are built into the sides of the hood.
This colorfully painted iron dial is a product of the Nolen & Curtis dial firm located in Boston, MA. Spencer Nolen and Samuel Curtis were clock-dial manufacturers, dial painters, and ornamental artists who worked from 1806 to 1810 and 1814 to 1822. They set up shop on Washington Street, Boston Neck, and dominated the clock dial industry after the Jefferson Embargo of 1807 halted the exportation of clock dials from England. There were other pockets of dial production coming from areas like Worcester, MA, Southern Maine, and New Hampshire, but the output was not significant. The Nolen & Curtis firm expanded their business, opening up shop in Philadelphia before the partnership was dissolved in 1822. At that point, their dials were being sold to clockmakers all over New England and as far south as Kentucky. Nolen & Curtis dials were considered the finest offered at the time. They commonly used color combinations of rich Kelly greens, blood reds, and mustard yellows. These colors were used alongside gilt gold, as seen in this classic example. This dial is decorated with brilliant sunburst spandrels, and raised gesso decorations are highlighted with gilt paint. In the arch of the dial are fruits that include peaches and grapes. Gilded swags surround these. Interestingly, fruit motifs such as this fell out of fashion circa 1815. The time ring is formatted with Arabic-style five-minute markers. A dotted minute ring separates the five-minute markers from the large Arabic-style hour numerals. Inside the minute ring is a subsidiary seconds dial and day of the month calendar display. Open diamond hands indicate the time.
The movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned pillars support the two large brass plates. These brass plates have an unusual shape. The cutouts conserved the use of brass. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The winding drums are grooved. The weight-driven movement will run for eight days on a full wind. The movement 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 stands approximately 7 feet 8 inches (92 inches) tall to the top of the center brass finial. It is 20.25 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep.
This tall clock was made circa 1815.
Inventory number 221034A.
