Rare Pennsylvania Chippendale Walnut Tall Case Clock, Joseph Rothrock

Circa 1780s, poplar secondary, metal face signed "Joseph Rothrock / Yorktown" with sweep seconds hand and moon dial phase, operated by an brass 8-day movement, the developed hood with bold broken arched pediment terminating in carved rosettes, three urn finials, four fully turned columns, glass aperture to the sides, the case waist door with shaped top and lipped edge, distinctive base with three vertical panels, original bracket foot with spur, with pendulum, two weights and winding key.

100 (97.5 without finial) x 24 x 10 in.

Private Collection, Pittsboro, NC and Formerly York, Pennsylvania

The York County History Center in York, Pennsylvania has a similar tall case clock in their collection also signed by Joseph Rothrock. Information from their Federal clock shares Joseph Rothrock was born in 1755 and lived on West Market Street in York, Pennsylvania, west of Penn Street, then known as "Bott's town". The Museum shares Joseph was the son of local silversmith, Philip Jacob Rothrock, who immigrated from Germany in 1733. Joseph Rothrock served in the Revolutionary War and worked as a clocksmith and coffin maker, with some sources indicating he may have lived until the 1780s. Clocks by this maker are extremely scarce, with less than five known, and this is likely the first known example to come to auction.

Joseph Rothrock is listed with active work dates between 1783-1790 on page 269 of Brooks Palmer's The Book of American Clocks, published in 1950 by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.

A special thank you to the York County Historical Center for their correspondence and assistance with research for this Lot.

As found estate condition: metal face with minor paint chipping and touch up; two finials with chips at base; alligatored surface; feet are original but with repair including front right with crack and repair; missing front spur.

See Terms and Conditions of Sale: Clocks and Watches.