Clock, Mirror

Object Name:

Clock, Mirror

Object ID:

1978.027.01

Creator:

Morrill, Benjamin (1794-1857)Clockmaker

Place of Origin:

Boscawen, NH

Date:

circa 1830

Description:

Mirror Clock. Made by Benjamin Morrill (1794-1857), Boscawen, NH; c. 1830. Materials: mahogany and other unidentified woods; glass; iron (dial); brass (movement). Case of dovetail construction; door is of mitered construction. Front consisting of a vertically oriented rectangular door (held with 2 brass hinges) having outer framework decorated on face with applied split balusters and applied projecting corner blocks. Baluster turnings of cup and cylindrical types. Cup turnings gilded, cylindrical turnings painted and grained red/brown. A stamped brass medallion applied to the front of each corner block. Two panels in glazed door -- decorated glass above and mirror below. Mirror is approximately twice as high as upper panel. Circular reserve of clear glass at center of upper panel with gilt zig-zag border and surrounding reverse painted design in black, gold, and red-brown. Door fastened with a brass hook and eye. Round, painted iron dial (slightly concave), beneath clear glass reserve in upper door panel. Roman hour numerals and iron hour and minute hands, of matching "T" design. A winding hole above and to left of center. Beneath hands, in cursive, "B. Morrill / Boscawen". Eight-day brass "wheelbarrow" movement. Each part of this movement is marked with two small engraved lines. Wallpaper liner in back of case interior (stamped floral design, in white, red, orange and green). Pendulum rod with round brass-fronted bob. Rectangular lead weight. Mirror backed with white pine; board inscribed twice "R. Morrill", with the dates "Dec. 14, 61" and "Nov. 14, 67". Another inscription, in red, is illegible.

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Pine
Brass
Iron
Glass

Dimensions:

H-28.75 W-13.875 D-4 inches

Provenance:

Clock with the maker's mark of Benjamin Morrill (1794-1857) of Boscawen, NH, and later repair marks by Benjamin's nephew, jeweler Reuben Morrill (1825-1879) of Concord. From the Donald K. Packard (1893-1974) clock collection, given to NHHS by his widow, Beatrice. Donald and Beatrice summered in New Ipswich, NH, where they collected locally-made furniture and New Hampshire clocks.

Credit Line:

Gift of Beatrice Joy Packard

People:

Packard, Donald (1893-1974), Morrill, Benjamin (1794-1857), Morrill, Reuben (1825-1879)

Subjects:

Manufacturing