Nathaniel Shepherd, Westport, Massachusetts. A tall clock with moon-phase dial display. XXSL-99.
This iron dial measures 13 inches across and was paint decorated by a Boston ornamental artist. Each of the four spandrel areas are decorated with a colorful medallion. These are framed with lacy raised gesso designs that are highlight with gilt paint. 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 locations. This dial is wonderfully signed by the Clockmaker in a script format. This signature is located below the calendar date display and above the Roman hour numeral VI. The signature simply reads, “Nath Shepherd / Boston.”
The brass constructed movement is weight powered and designed to run eight days on a full wind. The strike train in actuated by a rack and snail system. This clock is designed to strike each hour on a bell mounted above the movement on a stand.
This clock stands approximately 7 feet 6.5 inches tall overall. It was made circa 1816.
Inventory number XXSL-19.
About Nathaniel Shepherd working in Dartmouth, Westport and New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Nathaniel Shepherd, clockmaker, watchmaker and goldsmith working in Dartmouth, Westport and New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Nathaniel Shepherd was born in Dartmouth on February 21, 1795 and died in New Bedford on October 28, 1882. He trained as a clockmaker under John Bailey II in Hanover, Massachusetts. It is currently thought that he started working on his own in 1816. In 1820, he formed a partnership with Ezra Kelley and worked with him until 1823 and then again together in 1833 through 1835.
Several tall clocks are known. One signed example owned by us is signed with the place location listed as Westport. A similar Shepherd clock can be found in the Yale University Art Gallery collection, inventory no. 1964.54.2.
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