Clock, Tall Case

Object Name:

Clock, Tall Case

Object ID:

1924.003.12

Creator:

Fowlds, Allan (1719-1799)Watchmaker

Place of Origin:

Kilmarnock, Scotland (dial) NY or NJ (case)

Date:

circa 1770

Description:

Tall Case Clock. Movement made by Allan Fowlds (1719-1799), Kilmarnock, Scotland; c. 1770. Inlaid mahogany case. Broken arch top, the arches ending in inlaid disks. Three capped plinths, with brass-and-spire finials on the center and left plinths. Concave molding at the top. Reeded columns on either side of hood door with brass caps and bases; hood backboards are also reeded. Hood door is of panel construction; it is glazed and arched, with a brass pendant door pull; door is decorated with string inlay. Interior of door has a red wash. Sidelights are rectangular, with rounded tops and bottoms. Dial is silver with an applied brass chapter ring, applied brass boss disk, applied molded brass decorative elements on the arch and spandrels, and an engraved center. Brass boss is engraved, "Allan Fowlds / KILMARNOCK". Brass arch design uses a dolphin motif; while spandrel designs have a cherub motif. Silver center is engraved in a floral design. Chapter ring has engraved roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals. Iron hour and minute hands of ornate design. Small seconds dial above center, and a day-of-week disk below center with square window opening. Two winding holes slightly below center. Waist has concave molding at top and bottom, is fully decorated with inlay, and has a rectangular door edged with cock beading. Door has a pressed brass pendant ring door pull, as well as a diamond-shaped escutcheon with brass lock and lock plate; door is attached with two brass hinges. Reeded quarter columns with brass caps and bases on either side of door; columns are supported in back with glue blocks. Top of waist has an inlay design of swags and dangling curtain pulls. Above and below the columns are inlay floral designs. Below door is an inlaid panel with shell center and quarter-fans in corners. Center of door is decorated with an inlay oval in which is a floral design; string inlay along edge of door. Pencil inscription on interior of door: "July oiled cleaned 1941"; there is also a chalk inscription, which is illegible. Another inscription on case side interior, in pen: "REPAIRED / 10/24/56 / REM[I or J]EUX". Fragment of paper label on side interior: "C. H.GR[EENLEAF]". Base is rectangular, with bracket feet and carved skirt. Inlay designs on base include two ovals, which are vertically oriented. Mounted on concave molding between waist and base is brass plaque with painted text: "in memory of / EDITH GREENLEAF". Baseboard present. Extensive use of glue blocks. Many holes in backboard, many of which are filled. Label on back of case: "Forwarded from Montreal P.O. D.T. Irish, Agent by the U.S. & Canada Express". Typed label tacked to interior backboard: "The clock by Allan Fowlds / has no doubt made by the man / whose name it bears, who carried / on business in Kilmarnock, / Scotland about 1770".

Material:

Wood
Mahogany

Dimensions:

H-94 W-19 D-10.5 inches

Provenance:

Part of a collection of paintings and objects donated by Mabelle F. Greenleaf (1873-1966), in memory of her late husband, Charles Henry Greenleaf (1841-1924) and their daughter, Edith Greenleaf. The clock was used in one of the Greenleaf hotels.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mabelle Furst Greenleaf, in memory of Charles Henry Greenleaf and Edith Greenleaf

People:

Greenleaf, Charles Henry (1841-1924), Greenleaf, Edith (1916-1916), Greenleaf, Mabelle F. (1873-1966), Fowlds, Allan (1719-1799)