Clock, Tall Case

Object Name:

Clock, Tall Case

Object ID:

1929.002

Creator:

Blasdel, David (1711/12-1756)Clockmaker

Place of Origin:

Amesbury, MA

Date:

circa 1750

Description:

Tall Case Clock. Movement made by David Blasdel (1711/12-1756); Amesbury, MA; c. 1750. Case: maple and birch. Movement: brass and iron. Flat hood with cornice consisting of a torus molding above a cavetto molding. Hood door is of tiger maple; it is a glazed rectangular door, with an arched-top opening. Door attached with two wrought brass hinges, the straps of which are visible on the exterior. Rectangular side lights with floral piercings above. Wire hook and eye closure. Compass-produced pinwheel design on inner surface of hood top. Dial is brass with silver or pewter chapter ring, and an arched top. Molded pewter spandrel decorations which have cherub designs. Arch decorations have dolphin designs. Silver or pewter boss in center of arch which is inscribed "DAVID / BLASDEL / AMESBURY". Chapter ring has roman hour numerals in black plus arabic minute numerals. Pierced iron hands of intricate design. Rectangular window above the numeral "VI." Molded edge on face plate and molded edge on door. Thirty-hour brass and iron movement with strike and endless rope drive (soap-stone weight on cord). Waist has concave molding at the top. Waist door is rectangular with arched top and is attached with 2 brass hinges. Edge of waist door is molded. Corners of waist are chamfered and molded. Waist is of pegged construction. Waist door has circular hole in approximate center, which has a molded edge and is glazed. Waist door has wooden door pull which turns a latch. Inner surface of waist door has several inserted pieces of wood (function undetermined). Typed paper label on inner surface of waist door, giving family history (see Notes). Note that waist and base are separate pieces. Base is very short, with mitred corners. No base board present. Several nail holes in backboard. Gouged area in interior of waist, to allow for swing of pendulum.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Birch
Metal
Brass
Glass

Dimensions:

H-81.5 W-18.5 D-11.25 inches

Provenance:

Clock made by David Blasdel (1711/2-1756) of Amesbury MA. Said to have been given by Ensign Jonathan Rundlet (1705-1804) to his wife Rachel Smith (1711/12-1756) as a wedding present (married 1728). Clock has remained in the family until its donation to NHHS. Ownership passed through direct descendants as follows: Jacob Rundlet (1738-1814); Simeon Rundlet (1789-1844);
Climena B. Rundlet Thompson (1819-1900);
Lenora C. Thompson Harvey (1862-1928)

Credit Line:

Gift of the Estate of Leonora C. Thompson Harvey

People:

Blasdel, David (1711/12-1756), Rundlett, Jonathan (1705-1804), Rundlett, Rachel (1709-1775), Rundlet, Jacob (1738-1814), Rundlet, Simeon (1789-1844), Rundlet, Climena B. (1819-1900), Thompson, Leonora C. (1862-1928)