HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, CIRCA 1815

Details

A FEDERAL RED-STAINED PINE DWARF CLOCK
Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1815
The molded crest surmounted by a plinth with brass spherical finial and shaped brackets above a rectangular top over a conforming case fitted with an arched glazed door revealing a white-painted dial face with Arabic numeral chapter rings enclosed by spandrels with gilt decorated flourishes surmounted by a paint and gilt medallion issuing gilt scrolls, all flanked by two columns above a mid-molding and waisted case centering a rectangular door with conforming banding over a box base with shaped skirt, on bracket feet
48in. high, 11½in. wide, 6in. deep

Provenance

By descent to Miss Helen Fogg, Norwell, Massachusetts

Lot Essay

Fashionable during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, dwarf clocks were usually under five feet tall and were created as diminutive tall case clocks. Located in Hingham, Massachusetts, Joshua Wilder (1786-1860) and Reuben Tower (w.1810-1830) were among the most industrious clockmakers producing these forms. Characteristic of their work, this clock with arched and molded pediment, unembellished case with molded door, mid-molding above the box base and shaped skirt is related to several clocks made by Wilder and Tower dated circa 1810-1815. For similar clocks see Bishop and Distin, The American Clock (New York, 1976), pp. 79-81, figs. 151, 155, 158, 161 and fig. 159, respectively. For other related Wilder clocks see Palmer, The Book of American Clocks (New York, 1950), figs. 94 and 105. Two Wilder dwarf clocks were sold in these Rooms 16 October 1996, lot 239 and 14 October 1999, lot 197.

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