BY CALEB WHEATON (1757-1827), PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1790-1810

Details

THE PELEG ARNOLD FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY AND BRASS-MOUNTED TALL-CASE CLOCK
BY CALEB WHEATON (1757-1827), PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1790-1810
the pendulum engraved Caleb Wheaton/ Providence; inside of case door with history of the clock written by Maria Arnold Ide (1821-1895) in 1888
99 ¼ in. high, 20 ½ in. wide, 10 in. deep

Provenance

According to 1888 history recorded by Maria Arnold Ide in 1888:
Chief Justice Peleg Arnold (1751-1820), Smithfield, Rhode Island
Thomas F. Buffum (1776-1852), Smithfield, nephew, by gift from above
David Buffum (1811-1899), Smithfield, Rhode Island and Brooklyn, New York, son, by purchase
Israel Sack, Inc., New York

Literature

Israel Sack, Inc., American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, vol. 2, p. 454, pl. 1129.
Israel Sack, Inc., advertisement, The Magazine Antiques (January 1964), inside front cover.
The Rhode Island Furniture Archive at the Yale University Art Gallery, RIF1555.

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Sallie Glover

sglover@christies.com +1 212 636 2230

Lot Essay

The history of the clock is recorded on a label on the inside of the case door and indicates it was first owned by Chief Justice Peleg Arnold (1751-1820). After graduating from Rhode Island College (now Brown University), Arnold practiced law and ran a successful tavern, which still stands today on Woonsocket Hill Road in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. He represented the state during the 1787-1788 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and from 1795 to 1812 served as the Chief Justice of Rhode Island Supreme Court. Peleg’s sister, Lydia (1746-1828) married William Buffum (1741-1829) and their son, Thomas F. Buffum (1776-1852) received the clock after Peleg Arnold’s death in 1820. In 1888, the clock was owned by Thomas’ son, David Buffum (1811-1899). A first cousin of David, Maria Arnold Ide (1821-1895) recorded this history in 1888.

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