Clock, Tall Case

Object Name:

Clock, Tall Case

Object ID:

1992.051

Creator:

Cole, James C. (1791-1867) -- Silversmith; Dennett, Charles (1788-1867) -- Cabinetmaker

Place of Origin:

Rochester, NH

Date:

1815

Description:

Tall Case Clock. Movement made by James C. Cole (1791-1867). Case attributed to Charles Dennett (1788-1867), Rochester, NH, 1815. Federal style inlaid wooden case, including birch, cherry, flame birch veneer, birch and mahogany inlay, and white pine secondary wood. Flat topped hood with three capped plinths, pierced fence between plinths. Birch and cherry. Brass finial, with floral tops, on outer two plinths. Narrow ogee molding at top. Frieze has flat top and arched bottom, and is decorated with string inlay outline and quarter-fan inlay in both spandrel. Hood door is arched with incised line around edge. Hood door is of panel construction with screws in each corner, is glazed, and has a brass door pull. Wooden face plate is stained dark. Oval glazed sidelights present. Turned columns on either side of door with ring turnings on top and base. Rear of hood has beaded edge. Painted iron dial, with an arched top. Eight-day brass movement, with strike. Dial is painted white, with gold/brown flowers on arch top, and red-white-and-blue shield in each spandrel. Face has roman numerals and includes a seconds dial and date indicator; "James C. Cole. / Rochester" painted below center. Two winding holes with brass grommets below center. Ornate pierced steel or iron hands. Minutes hand has been repaired. Glass front. Glass oval on each side. Waist has concave molding at top and bottom, and a rectangular door with molded edging. Flame birch central panel with outer band of mahogany veneer. Steel or iron escutcheon is rectangular with cut out corners, steel lock and wooden lock plate. Door is attached with two metal hinges. Inner surface of door has two wedged shaped inserts, function undetermined; door is white pine, inserts are mahogany. Waist has reeded quarter columns supported from back with glue blocks. Flame birch veneer surrounded by string inlay below and above each column. Inner surface of waist is painted brown. Base is rectangular with bracket feet and slightly rounded skirt. It has a rectangular flame birch insert in center with cut out corners. Quarter fan inlay in each corner of base front with outline of string inlay. Several deep scratches on backboard (exterior), including 3 roughly parallel lines and what looks like an X. Screw goes through backboard, behind movement. Base board present. No inscriptions found.
Overall dimensions: 88 1/4" high to top of finials, 18 3/8" wide, 10 1/4" deep.
.A Case (excluding hood).
.B Hood.
.C Movement.
.D Time Weight. Filled lead cylinder.
.E Strike Weight. Filled lead cylinder.
.F Pendulum. Brass face, lead back.
.G Winding Key. Brass with maple handle.
.H Door Key. Metal.

Material:

Wood
Cherry
Birch
Glass
Metal
Iron
Lead

Dimensions:

H-88.25 W-18.375 D-10.25 inches

Provenance:

Clock signed by Rochester, NH, clockmaker James C. Cole (1791-1867), and case attributed to cabinetmaker Charles Dennett (1788-1867), also of Rochester (Dennett is known to have made cases for Cole).
This clock is believed to have a long Rochester history, although the original owner is not known. Dr. Guy Chesley (1871-1951), Rochester veterinarian, purchased the clock. He later sold it to his neighbors, lawyer Guy & Marian Smart. Marian Smart (c.1894-1955) bequeathed the clock to her nephew, Joseph F. Sanborn (1931-2003), also of Rochester. Sanborn sold the clock to antiques dealers Gallant & Rowe in 1972/3, and it has been in the hands of several dealers until its purchase by NHHS in 1992.
It is plausible that the clock was originally from the house of Charles Dennett; the house was owned by his daughter Abbie (1831-1929) at the time of her death. Abbie was 98 years old when she died, and had no children; Dr. Chesley lived close by.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase, with funds provided by Mary L. Brooke

People:

Cole, James C. (1791-1867), Dennett, Charles (1788-1867), Dennett, Abbie H. (1831-1929), Chesley, Guy (1871-1951), Smart, Guy (1888-c. 1945), Sanborn, Joseph F. (1831-2003)