Federal Decorative Objects

The movement of this rather fine tall case clock is signed by Hilltown, Pennsylvania clockmaker Benjamin Morris. Working in Reading, Hilltown and New Britton, PA, Morris was a highly...

This fine example of early nineteenth century workmanship is impressive in proportions and workmanship. Measuring in at 104" in height, it is a striking object that absolutely defines a home. Crafted of solid mahogany and mahogany veneers on the primary surfaces, yellow pine and poplar secondary woods on the secondary surfaces, the composition of colors is impressive and well planned. A bright and vibrant mahogany makes up the majority of the body, the door veneers slightly darker in tone to frame the bold and fiery mahogany veneer medallion in the center of the door. The hood is elongated with a stretched brow above the glazed-panel arched door, this retaining it's original hand blown glass within the tenon-mortise joined frame of the door. A thin molding frames the arch of the door over flanking tapered columns with fine bead turnings at the top. A projecting cove molding squares the top of the hood, running across the top and rising in a broken-arch scrolling pediment flanking a large vasiform finial with an acorn top. The effect is absolutely flawless, allowing the length of the clock to reach this imposing height while still maintaining perfect adherence to proportions that the eye comfortably judges as aesthetically pleasing. The white painted iron dial features a moon-phase with a ship scene and a rural cabin scene over two faded globes at the edge of the Arabic numeral minute and hour ring circling the pierced iron hands over a calendar dial. The spandrels are handsomely painted floral scenes. The face is free of any clockmaker signature and even on close examination it appears to have never had a maker signature. The eight-day brass works appear in every way to be complete, the back of the moon-phase inscribed illegibly with a long flowing signature and scratch-inscribed "Roskell, Liverpool" - likewise, the back brass pallet is impressed "Roskell, Liverpool" in the lower left corner. The iron false plate (plate between the works and the dial) is impressed "OWEN", the English firm that founded the works and shipped them to the States for assembly in this clock. The seat board is pine, almost certainly yellow pine beneath the very dark brown oxidization, retaining a business card outlining some servicing that was done on the clock works at one point. Overall the works are very clean with somewhat recent cords. The long shaft is divided with a rectangular door, opening to reveal the weights and pendulum on it's original hinges and original lock (no key). The door is mahogany core covered with thick mahogany veneers around a flame mahogany medallion. The whole is flanked by long chamfered columns that stretch from the hood to the waist. The clock rests over absolutely delightful thin splayed French feet, entirely original and untouched with all original blocking, these flanking a scroll cut apron. The back of the American tall case clock...