A birch case tall clock in its original red wash made in New Hampshire, Concord area. 217093.
The form should be familiar to those collectors that collect central New Hampshire tall clocks. This solid wood example features a case constructed primarily in birch, which is tinted red. Originally a red wash was applied to the lightly colored birch to simulate the color of cherry.
Four applied bracket feet elevate the case off the floor. The waist section features a tombstone-shaped waist door. The perimeter of this door is trimmed with a simple molded edge. Open it, and one can easily access the two cast-iron drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. The bonnet features a swan's neck form. This pattern was very popular and is commonly found in a large number of other Concord area clock cases. These moldings are boldly formed, and each side terminates in carved pinwheels. This example includes a single finial plinth that is centered between the arches. Three brass ball and spiked finials decorate the top of the hood. The bonnet smoothly turned bonnet columns are mounted in brass capitals. These visually support the simple arch molding. The windows on the sides of the hood are a tombstone form. They are fitted with glass panels. The bonnet door is also arched and fitted with glass. It opens to access the painted iron dial.
This painted iron dial is decorated with swags and urns. All of the decoration is done in gilt. The time track features large Roman-style hour markers. The five-minute markers are painted in an Arabic form. A subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar can be found in their traditional locations inside the time ring. The time is indicated by lovely formed steel hands of a traditional pattern.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned brass pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved to accept and guide the weight cords. Each holds approximately eight days of winding cord. The escapement is a recoil format. The movement is weight-driven and 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 on a bell stand.
This clock was made circa 1800.
The case measures approximately 86.5 inches tall. The upper bonnet molding is 22 inches wide and 11 inches deep.
Inventory number 217093.
