Edmund Currier of Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Tall case clock. 26232.
This fine example stands on a cut-out bracket base. The feet are nicely formed and have very good height. The design incorporates a drop apron in the center of the base section. The rectangular waist door is fitted into the waist section. It is framed with applied molding. Inset reeded quarter columns are fitted into the waist corners. They terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a traditional New England-style fretwork top. The frets are original to this clock and are supported by three fluted chimney plinths. Three brass ball-and-spiked finials are mounted on top of the plinths. The bonnet columns are also fluted and are mounted into brass capitals. These flank the bonnet door is arched and fitted with glass. This door opens to access the painted dial.
This dial is of Boston manufacture. It is an iron dial that is attached directly to the movement without a false plate. It was most likely painted by Boston's Curtis & Nolen firm circa 1817. It is skillfully decorated, featuring traditional themes for this period. The four spandrel areas are decorated with stylized urns. In the arch, one will find a conch shell. Fanciful gesso and gilt designs frame these details. This dial is signed by the clockmaker below the calendar aperture. It reads, “Edmond Currrier Hopkinton.” The time track is displayed in an Arabic format. This dial also shows the seconds and the date of the month.
The movement is brass, eight-day duration, and is of good quality. It is weight-driven and features a rack and snail strike system and a recoil escapement. The original tin can weights are still with this clock. The pendulum features a brass-faced bob.
This case measured 7 feet 6.5 inches tall to the top of the center brass finial and was made circa 1820.
Inventory number 26232.
Edmund Currier was born the son of a Doctor on May 4, 1793, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He lived until the age of 60 years young and died in Salem, Massachusetts, on May 17, 1853. His first shop was located in Hopkinton. This shop was previously owned by Philip Brown, who was also a clockmaker. As a result, it is thought that Brown may have trained Edmund in the clockmaking trade. There is also some evidence that suggests that he worked for a short period of time with either the Hutchins brothers or Timothy Chandler in Concord. Interestingly, Edmund’s account books for the period in which he worked in Hopkinton have survived. Today, this book is located in the New Hampshire Philomatic and Antiquarian Society of Hopkinton. This account book provides us with a synopsis of the businesses he conducted there. He lists manufacturing and repairing items such as spectacles, cutlery, tableware, and jewelry. He did locksmith work, gunsmith repairs, and manufactured instruments for doctors. He dealt in musical instruments. His brother Ebenezer was a piano maker. Edmund manufactured and repaired tools, wagons, sleighs, and harnesses. He was also a fine clockmaker and repaired some watches. A small number of clocks are listed as being made in this New Hampshire location. In fact, Currier lists in his account books that he purchased tall clock cases from David Young and David Young Jr. It appears that he purchased 10 cases from David Young and one from David Young Jr. They are listed as follows:
Clock cases purchased from David Young,
1.) July 11, 1816 clock case $35.00.
2.) January 1, 1817 cherry case $16.00
3.) May 27, 1817 clock case $20.00
4.) July 11, 1818, case in cherry for $16.00.
5.) June 1, 1817, in cherry for $16.00.
6.) July 11, 1818, in cherry for $16.00.
7.) November 6, 1818, a mahogany case for $25.00.
8.) November 12, 1818, he purchased a mahogany case for $25.00
9.) November 12, 1818, he purchased a birch case for $14.00
10.) May 24, 1820, a cherry case $14.00.
Clock case purchased from David Young Jr.,
1.) June 28, 1816, he purchased one cherry case for $16.00.
From the same account books, it is recorded that he sold eight case clocks. Prices range from $35.00 to $65.00.
Edmund moved from Hopkinton in 1825 to the corner of Essex and Central Streets in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1828, he moved his business to 7 Derby Square. This was centrally located “In the market.” In 1831, Currier formed a partnership with George B. Foster. Currier trained Foster. This partnership was located at 11 Derby Square. The firm of Currier & Foster lasted until 1835. The clocks made during this period are usually signed “Currier & Foster.” This firm advertised as having for sale watches, clocks, and timepieces of their own manufacture. They are also listed as jewelers. After 1835, Currier continues to advertise on his own. His business is now located on Essex Street, and he was still in the business of making and selling “Timepieces, Gallery-Clocks, Regulators...” While in the town of Salem, Currier was deeply involved with the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association. It was recorded by his associates that he was “accustomed to working sixteen hours out of twenty-four.” He was admired for his talents.
Very few clocks by Currier and Currier & Foster are known. Examples are difficult to come by. Several other timepieces, as well as a lyre form, a dwarf form, and less than a hand full of tall clocks, are reported. There is a tall case clock in the museum collection at the Essex Institute, and we currently own what may be the only Hopkinton signed example. For a more complete listing of these Makers, please review “Willard’s Patent Timepieces,” written by Paul J. Foley.
