Clock, Tall Case

Object Name:

Clock, Tall Case

Object ID:

1972.089.040

Creator:

Gilman, Benjamin Clark (1763-1835) -- Clockmaker; Wilson, James (1755-1809)

Place of Origin:

Exeter, NH/Birmingham, England

Date:

circa 1800

Description:

Tall Case Clock. Movement made by Benjamin Clark Gilman (1763-1835), Exeter, N.H. Birch and maple case, of pegged and wrought nail construction. Arched hood has three reeded and capped plinths with scrolled pierced fretwork between plinths. Brass finial on each plinth, of inverted bell shape. Cornice has concave molding. Plain turned columns on either side of door with brass caps and bases. Quarter columns in rear. Beaded edge on rear of hood. Hood door is arched and glazed, and has a brass escutcheon with steel lock. Wooden face plate is stained dark. Painted cast-iron dial with arched top, and brass eight-day movement. Dial has painted roman numerals (I - XII), and arabic minutes numerals (5 - 60, by 5s) above. Steel or iron hands, highly decorated of pierced design. Small seconds dial below the XII, with arabic numerals (10 - 60, by 10s) and metal hand. Calendar ring below center, numbers visible through an arched window, numbered 6,9,12,15, etc. Two winding holes, with brass grommets, one on each side of calendar ring. Below calendar ring is painted initials "B.C.G.". Spandrels have fruit and foliage painted decoration, in reds, greens, pinks and raised gold. Arch top painted with floral and scroll design. Black cast iron plate behind dial, cast "WILSON"; on the calendar dial is stamped "WILSON.BIRMm.". Waist has concave molding on top and bottom and rectangular door with arched top. Unusual parallel striations on inner surface of waist door and sides, probably from a toothed planing tool. Door edges are beaded. Brass escutcheon and lock, matching that on hood. Door is attached with two cast and filed brass strap hinges; the straps are mounted on the inner surface of door. Pencil inscriptions on inner surface of door. "Dec 18 - 96 / Mar 24 - 05 / C[leaned] Jan 3 - 08" and "Cleaned & repaired / by H [L] Sargent 1856". Red star sticker on inner surface of door, as well as black plastic tape label with "PHOTO IN TREASURY ANTIQUES-MICHAEL". Case base is rectangular with bracket feet, and small skirt. Note that there are drawn lines on the small skirt, including a semicircle and several straight lines. Base board present. Several large pegs in base; it is unclear whether those are from construction or repair. Extensive use of score lines by maker.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Birch
Metal
Glass
Brass
Iron

Dimensions:

H-88.375 W-21.375 D-10.25 inches

Provenance:

Movement made by Benjamin Clark Gilman (1763-1835), Exeter, N.H.; dial imported from England. Donor -- Charles S. Parsons (1904-1988) -- acquired clock in 1968 from Herschel Burt of Exeter, who acquired it from an Exeter, N.H. family. Part of a large clock collection (and related materials) including not only clocks made in N.H., but also several made elsewhere, acquired in N.H. by the donor and probably used here.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles S. Parsons

People:

Burt, Herschel B. (1927-2000), Sargent, H., Wilson, James (1755-1809), Gilman, Benjamin Clark (1763-1835), Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)