Signed on the interior backboard and dated "Clock made August 17, 1803 Daniel Wolff," walnut, constructed with a single poplar board to the back and hand forged nails, pegs through the side boards in the base, the bonnet retains three original reverse teardrop finials, the waist door with original circular glass, is flanked by lamb's tongue chamfer, raised on ogee feet enhanced by applied base molding. The hand-painted metal face has a chapter ring with Roman numerals and Arabic seconds dial, calendar and on the back is written "207-0 5$". The brass 30-hour movement is attributed to Johann Eberhardt (Eberhardt, 1758-1839, was master clockmaker in Salem for more than thirty-eight years. Frank Albright attributes more than thirty clock movements to Eberhardt). With pendulum and weight.

Case height 95 in.; With finial 100 in.; Base 22.75 in.; Depth 10 in.

The Moravians were exiled Protestants from what is now Czechoslovakia and, upon immigration to the United States, settled primarily in PA and NC. Their tall case clocks were made during the late 18th- early19th century and stood in the old homes counting off time. The Germanic homes considered a clock and an almanac to be of utmost importance and the tall case clock was placed in a position of importance, designed to dominate a room or hallway.

The clocks found in Moravian homes had distinct features in common: they were made of walnut, were of an imposing size, and featured a face hand-painted with birds, a rural scene, or occasionally a celestial composition.

This Salem tall case clock is featured in the Old Salem Series book Johann Ludwig Eberhardt and His Salem Clocks by Frank P. Albright pp. 105-106, Fig. 19.

Center finial detached; shrinkage crack to front base panel; hinges replaced; hood glass replaced; center of face has crazing to the paint. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale: Clocks and Watches.

$5,000 - 10,000