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DEACESSIONED February 26, 2015
Tall clock
Nathaniel Mulliken Jr. (American)
1790–1800
Object Place: Lexington, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Mahogany, pine case; brass works, silvered dial
Dimensions
240 x 48.8 x 25.4 cm (94 1/2 x 19 3/16 x 10 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Charles Hitchcock Tyler
Accession Number32.296
CollectionsAmericas
Catalogue Raisonné
Randall 203
DescriptionThe brass face of this tall clock is decorated with three different techniques: the center is punched with a "fish roe" ground and pickled to give it a darker color; the spandrels and arch are decorated with cast and pierced scrollwork; and the dial, second dial, and upper disc are silvered. The dial is numbered in Roman and Arabic numerals for the hours and minutes, and the upper disc is inscribed with the maker's name and location. The plate is cusped around the edge of the second dial, and the hands are elaborately pierced and filed.
The colums at the side of the hood are reeded and have brass bases and capitals, while those at the back are plain quarter-columns. The cove-molded hood has a pierced fret with three plinths, strung vertically with two rows of checker inlay and fitted with brass ball finials. The case has reeded quarter-columns with brass capitals and bases, and the molded lip-edged door is mahogany veneer with a cross-banded mahogany border. The base of the case repeats the moldings and inlay of the door, and has slightly flaring bracket feet and a serpentine skirt.
The colums at the side of the hood are reeded and have brass bases and capitals, while those at the back are plain quarter-columns. The cove-molded hood has a pierced fret with three plinths, strung vertically with two rows of checker inlay and fitted with brass ball finials. The case has reeded quarter-columns with brass capitals and bases, and the molded lip-edged door is mahogany veneer with a cross-banded mahogany border. The base of the case repeats the moldings and inlay of the door, and has slightly flaring bracket feet and a serpentine skirt.
InscriptionsUpper disc of dial engraved in script "Nathl Mulliken / LEXINGTON"
The front plate of the movement bears several inscriptions in various locations indicating that it was cleaned by the Roxbury clockmaker Elnathan Taber in 1812, 1823, 1828, 1830,1835, 1838, and 1842, and by Thomas Taber in 1853 and 1860.
On proper left side of top of mounting board: "For Mr. C.H. Tyler / 83 Bay St. [in handwriting] / FROM: GEO. H. ELSON / Watches, clocks and silverware / 22 BEACON STREET / BOSTON [printed]"
Modern jelly label glued to back of clock with illegible inscription.
The front plate of the movement bears several inscriptions in various locations indicating that it was cleaned by the Roxbury clockmaker Elnathan Taber in 1812, 1823, 1828, 1830,1835, 1838, and 1842, and by Thomas Taber in 1853 and 1860.
On proper left side of top of mounting board: "For Mr. C.H. Tyler / 83 Bay St. [in handwriting] / FROM: GEO. H. ELSON / Watches, clocks and silverware / 22 BEACON STREET / BOSTON [printed]"
Modern jelly label glued to back of clock with illegible inscription.
ProvenanceBequest of Charles Hitchcock Tyler (Accession Date September 1, 1932). February 26, 2015, deaccessioned by the MFA for sale through Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.