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Tall-case clock
Ephraim Willard (1755–about 1833)
1801–05
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/Technique
Mahogany, satinwood, pine
Dimensions
Overall: 239.4 x 47.3 x 24.8 cm (94 1/4 x 18 5/8 x 9 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Miss Eleanor P. Martin
Accession Number57.200
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
Catalogue Raisonné
Randall 205
DescriptionThe face of this tall clock is enameled white with gold scrollwork in the corners and in the center of the arched top there is a green urn in a circle of gold dots. The dial, numbered in Roman and arabic, has a second hand above the filed steel openwork hands, and below is an aperture showing the date. The frame for the face is inscribed by the English manufacturer, and the face bears the signature in script. The hood is arched and has a deep cove-molded cornice above which is a fretwork between three fluted plinths which carry brass ball finials. There are free-standing columns with brass capital, base and stop fluting, and the door with its molded edge is centrally inlaid with a radiating oval of satinwood. There are cove moldings at the throat and as a transition to the base, which is inlaid in the front wthn an oval of satinwood radiates. At the base is a double step of moldings, and the bracket feet have a squared base.
The door is veneered on pine, and the back, bottom, and hood top are pine, as well as the reinforcing behind the quarter-columns.
The door is veneered on pine, and the back, bottom, and hood top are pine, as well as the reinforcing behind the quarter-columns.
Signed
Face signed in script: "E. Willard"
Marks
Frame for the clock mechanism marked: "Osborne's [in script] / MANUFACTORY / BIRMINGHAM"
InscriptionsThe clock bears numerous inscriptions, including:
-On inside of the case body, back board: in chalk "W [?] ES" in large script.
-On back board, at top, in chalk: squiggle
-On rear of clock face, in chalk: "Willard".
-On top face of mounting board, PR side, in graphite [hard to read]: "V / Cl Jan 1884 / Cl____ / Ospou__ Mansfield / [illegible]"
-On the back of the door are several papers with the later history of the clock (listed from top to bottom):
Paper label, in ink: "This clock was given to W.C. Martin [possibly N.C. Martin] / by Mrs. Susanna Briggs, Nov. 27, 1846 / Mrs. Briggs Died / Nov. 15, 1848. added in graphite: (aged 73) A. [2 symbols]"
Paper label, in ink: "Mr. C. H. Daniels / Cleaned & Repaired / Clock / Dec 5 1860.
In grphite directly onto board: "Badger, June 1st 1865 / Eben C. Worcester, Apr. 30 1869 / [illegible, possibly "A. Nobles"] -- Nov 15th 1871 -- / same -- FEB. -- 1875 -- / same -- FEB. --1879 -- / same -- Jan. -- 1884 -- / same Oct -- 1896 -- / Cld May 1900 [illegible, possibly"King ___]"
Illegible chalk inscriptions are written below the graphite.
Inlay on the door is marked in ink on its original paper mount: "Pengree [Pingree?] & Co."
Three business cards tacked to interior of case:
Robert C. Cheney "overhauled April 1995"
Bradford W. Cheney & Sons "overhauled"
Bradford W. Cheney & Sons no additional marks
-On inside of the case body, back board: in chalk "W [?] ES" in large script.
-On back board, at top, in chalk: squiggle
-On rear of clock face, in chalk: "Willard".
-On top face of mounting board, PR side, in graphite [hard to read]: "V / Cl Jan 1884 / Cl____ / Ospou__ Mansfield / [illegible]"
-On the back of the door are several papers with the later history of the clock (listed from top to bottom):
Paper label, in ink: "This clock was given to W.C. Martin [possibly N.C. Martin] / by Mrs. Susanna Briggs, Nov. 27, 1846 / Mrs. Briggs Died / Nov. 15, 1848. added in graphite: (aged 73) A. [2 symbols]"
Paper label, in ink: "Mr. C. H. Daniels / Cleaned & Repaired / Clock / Dec 5 1860.
In grphite directly onto board: "Badger, June 1st 1865 / Eben C. Worcester, Apr. 30 1869 / [illegible, possibly "A. Nobles"] -- Nov 15th 1871 -- / same -- FEB. -- 1875 -- / same -- FEB. --1879 -- / same -- Jan. -- 1884 -- / same Oct -- 1896 -- / Cld May 1900 [illegible, possibly"King ___]"
Illegible chalk inscriptions are written below the graphite.
Inlay on the door is marked in ink on its original paper mount: "Pengree [Pingree?] & Co."
Three business cards tacked to interior of case:
Robert C. Cheney "overhauled April 1995"
Bradford W. Cheney & Sons "overhauled"
Bradford W. Cheney & Sons no additional marks
ProvenanceOwned in 1846 by Mrs.Susanna Briggs (d. 1848) and given to W.C. Martin; by descent in the Martin family to Henry B. Martin and by Miss Eleanor P. Martin; 1957, gift of Miss Eleanor P. Martin (Accession Date April 11, 1957)