Counting the Hours with Tall Case Clocks by Barbara Miller Beem

$1.50 AntiqueWeek T HE W EEKLY A N T IQUE A UC T ION & C OLLEC T ING N E W SP A PER VOL. 53 ISSUE NO. 2687 www.antiqueweek.com APRIL 6, 2021 Counting the hours with tall case clocks By Barbara Miller Beem In today’s world, exact time can eas- ily be determined by checking a palm- sized device, usually within arm’s reach, the primary purpose of which is not timekeeping. But for clock collec- tors and connoisseurs, it’s more than just knowing what time it is. Whether it’s because of an appreciation of the inner mechanism, in which weights, gears, and a pendulum work together in harmony, or the aesthetic qualities of the face and case, tall case clocks are a source of endless discovery. A status symbol for the rich and powerful, early tall case clocks were found only in the homes of the well-to- do. According to Tara Chicirda, furni- ture curator at Colonial Williamsburg Above: With his name clearly on the in Virginia, it’s difficult to pinpoint face, there’s no doubt that this is the the golden age of tall case clocks, but work of clockmaker William Clagett of the times (and the way to keep track Newport, R.I. of them) were a-changing in the latter years of 17th-century London. Thanks Below: Technically, tall case clocks are to clockmakers’ advancements, two weight-driven movements regulated main movements were available; in by pendulums and housed in tall addition to a 30-hour movement that wooden cases. To many, they are, required daily winding, there was the quite simple, a thing of beauty. more convenient (but expensive) eight- day movement. Pendulums were perfected so that clocks would lose only 15 seconds a day, not 15 minutes. Elongated cabinets, varying between 82 and 103 inches, were required to accommodate the weights needed for these eight-day movements. By the early 1700s, London-made Above: “Keeping Time: Above: Featured in a current Williamsburg exhibition longcase clocks (as they were called in Tall Case Clocks” at the is this tall case clock by London-born clockmaker Wil- England) could tell not only the hour, DeWitt Wallace Decora- liam Clagett, made in Newport, R.I. Curiously, it is but the minute and second as well. tive Arts Museum in Colo- estimated that the movement of this clock predates Some makers perfected the “equation nial Williamsburg features the case, by an unknown cabinetmaker, by 25 years. of time,” justifying the difference more than 20 tall case Photos courtesy of The Art Museums of Colonial Wil- between solar time and mean time. clocks on exhibit. liamsburg. Indeed, these were, as Chicirda noted, accessible to a larger market, changes More than one craftsman was “more than just a basic timekeeping were made in manufacturing methods involved in the making of a tall case piece.” Price points were predicated on and the materials used. Production clock: A customer might first deal duced in Eastern cities by a list of the intricacy of inner workings (the was streamlined, parts were stan- with either the clockmaker or the cab- famous makers, including Peter “whistles and bells”), not the beauty of dardized, and wooden gears were sub- inetmaker. Cases might be simple and Stretch of Philadelphia, William Clag- the case. Noted Chicirda, there was “a stituted for brass ones, all of which made of white pine or popular, or they ett of Newport, and Bostonian broth- lot of one-upmanship” in London resulted in clocks becoming more might be painted. Or they might be ers Simon and Aaron Willard. In during the 1690s and early 1700s, affordable. Expensive brass dials came made of fine mahogany and ornately which drove the market forward. America, as in England, these clocks to be replaced with less expensive decorated with carving or inlay. As for Because they were a luxury, clocks were custom made, with the degree of ones, including ones of painted iron. identifying the origins of a tall case were not among the first things need- intricacy, as well as the cost of materi- So-called “dwarf clocks, the height of a clock, clues to the name of the clock- ed by early American settlers, she als and labor, reflected in the price. ten-year-old” and less expensive than continued. But by the 18th century, To keep pace with increasing full-sized examples, were introduced See Clocks on page 23 fine tall case clocks were being pro- demand, and to make tall case clocks around the turn of the 19th century. Atlanta Expo Centers 3,500 Booths! Ohio Expo Center 800-1,200 Booths! SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS Atlanta, GA Columbus, OH ANTIQUE AND DESIGNER ITEMS 2nd Weekend *Dates subject to change (covid19) TM 740.569.2800 www.scottantiquemarkets.com Apr 8 - 11 Jun 10 - 13 Every Month Nov 27 - 28 2021 America’s Favorite Treasure Hunts! 2021 May 6 - 9 Jul 8 - 11 Dec 18 - 19 Hours: Friday-Saturday 10-6 Located in the old historic YMCA Sunday 12-4 37 West Kruzan Brazil, Indiana Like us on Page 2 WWW.ANTIQUEWEEK.COM April 6, 2021 NEWS Centennial celebration for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier By Barbara Miller Beem ple from all over the country and from as far away as the Philippines. ARLINGTON, Va. -- The white Because of its virtual nature, every- grave markers. The military preci- one was able to view close-up, if not sion of the guards. Taps. Whether in person, the artifacts discussed. viewed in person or on the nightly Included were a sampling of objects news, these solemn signs of respect dating from the 1921 entombment for those who paid the ultimate of the first Unknown, an American price for their country evoke patri- soldier killed in World War I, origi- otism, respect, and gratitude. And nally buried in France and then en- now, in 2021, the centennial com- tombed in a place of national honor. memoration of the Tomb of the Un- Other presentations that eve- known Soldier is being marked with ning included a “hands on history” a year-long series of events, culmi- demonstration, utilizing objects nating in November, on-site as well from the World War I era. Upon as virtual. completion, educators viewing the Partnering with other govern- program were eligible for a profes- ment agencies, the Arlington Na- sional development certificate. tional Cemetery (ANC) is hosting Letters to and from soldiers, monthly programs on a variety sometimes in unopened envelopes of themes pertaining to the Un- bearing the oft-tragic words “return knowns, which stands physical- to sender,” were examined. An ac- ly and symbolically at the Ceme- cessible first-hand account of his- Above: The iconic marble sepulcher that is the final resting place for three unknown tery’s heart. One such installment, tory, they are challenging for stu- soldiers. The Tomb stands not only at the physical center of the Cemetery but also at “Teaching with Things: How Arti- dents who have not learned cursive its symbolic heart. A year-long series of events, both onsite and virtual, are planned facts Illuminate the Past,” was pre- writing. Barrel drums, tomahawks, as part of a centennial commemoration. U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser, Arling- sented on Feb. 25, an hour-long we- and jingle dresses were among ton National Cemetery binar on Zoom. Although educators American Indian objects exhibited. were the intended audience, stu- The evening presentation was con- dents and “lifelong learners” were cluded by reminding teachers (“in also invited. Representatives from the trenches”) of numerous educa- tional resources offered by each of the Cemetery were joined by their the participants. Concluded Rod- counterparts at the National Muse- erick Gainer, an ANC curator, the um of the American Indian and the tragedy of losing life is further com- National Postal Museum (both located in Washington, D.C.), and the See Tomb on Page 4 National World War I Museum and Memorial (in Kansas City, Missou- Right: An exhibition of items previous- ri). Each challenged participants ly ensconced in the 1915 time cap- to consider historical artifacts and sule. As the centennial commemo- material culture and how they can ration of the Tomb of the Unknown “contribute to unique teaching and Soldier continues this year, the Cem- learning opportunities,” according to Barbara Lewandrowski, speak- etery plans special exhibits and pro- ing for the Cemetery. More suc- grams, many reimagined because of cinctly, “How can educators teach restraints because of the pandemic. students to ‘think through things?’” U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser, A broad audience tuned in to the Arlington National Cemetery. webinar, including hundreds of peo- Mennonite cupboard closes a $43,920 bid at Pook & Pook By Susan Emerson Nutter estate of Huntington Valley, Pa., by Right: Made of poplar and retaining its Charles Morris Young (American, 1869- original red surface, this 19th Century 1964) sold for $31,720. Adding to the Ohio Mennonite painted poplar Dutch DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. — As auc- work’s appeal; it retained its original cupboard sold for $43,920. tion houses refine their online selling carved and gilded Harer frame. inal vibrant red surface came in as the presence, would-be-buyers benefit from A tempera on board landscape of Big day’s top lot earning a $43,920 winning shopping from home with their “prizes” Bend of Chadds Ford, Pa., by George bid. This almost 79-inch-tall cupboard then delivered to their doorstep, not un- “Frolic” Weymouth (American, 1936- was from the Ohio collection of Ellie like Amazon. 2016) also exceeded its pre-sale estimate Hoover and Allan Katz.

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