American Hepplewhite Cherry Tall Case Clock, Philadelphia Family Provenance

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Attributed to eastern Pennsylvania, early 19th century, arched painted and gilt metal face, unsigned, 13 1/2-inch round dial with gilt boss surround, featuring four red and gilt paterae to the corners, arched lunette with painted seascape and moonphase above hemisphere terrestrial maps, brass two-train weight driven movement, the front plate engraved "AINSWORTH WARRINGTON," with suspension spring pendulum, the apical cast iron bell signed "John Wilbank Caster / Phila." for Philadelphia based bell caster, John Wilbank (1788-1843); set within a carved cherry case, white pine secondary, dovetailed hood with swan neck pediment and turned finials, above reeded plinths, arched niche supported on two fully turned columns to the front and half-column rear corners, trunk flanked by upper and lower cove moldings, chamfered front corners with reeding to the trunk and base, carved skirt and bracket feet from the solid with cockbead trim. Includes two weights, pendulum, case key, and winding key.

94 x 20 1/2 x 12 in.

By Direct Family Descent of Isaac Thomas, the Clockmaker, Willistown, Pennsylvania

According to notes by the consignor, the Biddle tall clock was owned by the consignor's grandparents, Anna McIlvain (nee Miller) Biddle (1871-1943) and Edward Taggart Biddle (1875-1947). Anna lived in Philadelphia and West Chester, Pennsylvania areas and is the great-great granddaughter of the Chester County, Pennsylvania clocksmith, Isaac Thomas (1721-1802). See Lot 57 in this Sale for further details.

The dial face is possibly decorated by Samuel Curtis and Spencer Nolen of Roxbury and Boston, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who worked together in Boston between 1807 and 1820. Their decorative arts partnership was recognized for there well-painted clock dials and clock-tablets, mirrors, paintings, and gilding.

Included with the Lot is a 1992 appraisal from Eric Chandee Wilson, Antique Clock Repair and Restoration Specialist in Thorndale, PA.

Some painted restoration to the dial; hood front with cracks to the panels around the front glass; base front panel with vertical age crack; some cracks along the lower base side at feet; works with label of Philadelphia based clocksmith technicians, William Gibbons and Charles H. Heine in Pennsylvania. Later service records for local clocksmith, Thomas Englund, circa 2009-2013. Please see Terms and Conditions of Sale: Clocks and Watches.