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American Chippendale Walnut Antique Tall Case Clock, John Davis, Pennsylvania

Name: American Chippendale Walnut Antique Tall Case Clock, John Davis, Pennsylvania
Brand: John Davis
Rating: 4.9 (42 reviews)

$17,500List Price

About the Item

EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE WALNUT TALL CASE CLOCK John Davis of New Holland in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, active c. 1783-1807 An exquisite example of Pennsylvania craftsmanship, this tall case clock is a work that dominates the attention of a room. As one of the most expensive pieces of furniture one could own during the post-revolution era, they were treasured acquisitions that made a statement about the taste and prominence of the owner. The present example is inscribed as being from the shop of John Davis, a clockmaker in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Not much is known about John Davis, but tax records place him in Early Township first in 1783 as a silversmith and from 1797 through 1805 as a clockmaker. We do know that he had a particular eye for detail though, as evidenced not only in the demanding craftsmanship of the case but also that of the movement, something he would have without a doubt been intimately involved with - it is a precise eight-day mechanism, but also a work of great beauty, the rear and front plates pierced with a tombstone void to mirror the dial. The hood lifts in a sharp broken-arch pediment with large blocks behind each arch, these flanking a single ball turned plinth raising an urn finial. Similar finials probably flanked either corner as well, though these have been lost over time. The tombstone glazed door of through-tenon mortise joinery opens on hand forged iron hardware to reveal the kiln-fired dial with floral spandrels and a painted dove in the dome of the top. Intricately pierced and substantial hands point to the Roman numeral hour and Arabic numeral minute rings while the seconds tick off on the central ring. The calendar dial is likewise in Arabic numerals over the inscription of "J. Davis New Holland". The shaft transitions from the hood in bold concave two-part molding, embellished around the neck with intricate pierced and etched fretwork framed in bead molding. A pair of fluted corinthian columns flank the scalloped-arch waist-door, this opening on it's original hinges to reveal the pair of weights and swinging pendulum - an old newspaper or book clipping on the door describes the work of a contemporary clockmaker to John Davis, though much of the note is since lost. The hinges appear to have been flipped at some point, probably because the owner thought the beautiful display of iron work would be best displayed on the exterior of the door. The base is highlighted with a rectangular display of molding, the upper corners inset to replicate the movement of the molding above. This rests over it's original and almost untouched ogee bracket feet (other than one foot pad as described in the condition notes) with nearly black levels of oxidization in the early and probably original finish. The back of the clock is crafted with a large plank behind the hood, this affixed with a pair of iron nails on either side, over a single vertical plank affixed with wooden pegs driven through the sides symmetrically, the base finished with a pair of horizontal planks nailed to the rabbeted edges and nailed along the flush bottom edge. All backboards are likewise untouched and fully original. A clock of such bold and robust display is always difficult to come by, particularly when untouched and in such marvelous condition as this example. Works by John Davis very rarely are available on the open market, particularly of this earlier form - much of Davis' work is executed during the Federal period and the style of his cases is reflective of this, while this example is clearly an earlier transitional work executed for a client with a taste for the more exuberant Rococo form. It is an exceptional investment grade selection for a serious collector of American furniture. Literature: Clockmakers of Lancaster County and Their Clocks 1750-1850, Stacy B.C. Wood Jr., Stephen E. Kramer, III, p. 16 (biography), p. 81 (dial), p. 156 (movement) Pennsylvania Clocks, George H. Eckhardt, p. 209 (biography) The Book of American Clocks, Palmer, p. 178 (biography) Measurements: Total height 97 1/2"; [shaft] 12" D (at feet) x 21 1/8" W (at feet) x 88" H; [hood] 22 1/8" W (top crest) x 12" D x 33 3/4" H (to finial tip) Condition Report: HOOD: Empty pegged holes in the pediment suggest that the clock either had applied rosettes at one point or that the clock was sold with blank rosettes. Cracks along the grain of the wood on both sides of the hood, some cracks extending through the wood (though no structural strength is lost); gash to upper-left corner of molding; two finials absent on corners; door glass is replaced, windows appear to retain original glass; original finial and plinth, all hardware original, lowest edge of molding on right side is face nailed with accompanying cracks. SHAFT: Top plank of the back of the case has some "looseness" to it due to the nature of the design (only two nails on either side holding the board in place) - show care when moving the clock into place, but otherwise this has no bearing on the condition. Hinges on door are flipped, probably for decorative purposes as someone thought they looked more attractive like this - note the faint outline of the hardware and old nail holes on inside of door exactly replicating the outside; bead of molding over fretwork on left side of case possibly replaced. FEET: All feet are entirely original and apparently untouched other than the replaced foot blade beneath the left foot - this blade also has some loss along the facing edge, but this chip has been retained and can be restored upon request (note in the photos it is shown with the sliver in place); perimeter of underside retains old rosehead nails and other empty nail holes, some nails still with bits of fabric, suggesting a piece of fabric once covered the underside. MOVEMENT/DIAL: Seatboard holes match that of the shaft, the movement being entirely original to the clock; the bell is attached with an obviously replaced screw; later winding key; fly on top of movement shows a solder repair. The movement is in fine condition, but will almost without a doubt need to be serviced upon being brought into your home in order to properly operate. Dial with craquelure and light losses throughout, some loss and discoloration where false plate is affixed to dial, minor inpainting as shown in the images under UV. OVERALL: An exceptionally well preserved clock in as nearly untouched condition as can be expected. Surface is very early, almost certainly at least mostly original under many layers of later waxes, surface with appropriate wear and loss - portions of finish nearly black from oxidization. The overall result is a stunning and rich surface. The door has been cleaned and possibly has a later finish, as this surface is slightly more vibrant than the rest of the clock. A very fine acquisition. We have a very large collection of well over 100 images of this clock, showing every detail and minor flaw with clarity - these images are available on our website and a link is also available upon request.

Creator:
John Davis (Clockmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 97.5 in (247.65 cm)Width: 22.13 in (56.22 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
18th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1790-1805
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. See condition notes.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 410OLO31K1stDibs: LU105901338004

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