John Hall dated tall clock (New Brunswick, NJ)
An elaborately inlaid mahogany antique tall case clock with a fantastic painted dial, and a movement signed and dated "John Hall / 1816."
The front brass plate of the clock movement is inscribed with the clockmaker's name and date of manufacture "John Hall / 1816". John Hall was working in New Brunswick, New Jersey and Philadelphia during the first quarter of the 19th century. This terrific tall case clock features exuberant pattern inlays and rich mahogany veneers. The tasteful Hepplewhite proportions and abundant use of delicate inlays are typical of the work of New Jersey craftsmen. The crest has a delicately scrolled and molded swan’s neck pediment mounted with ball and spire finials. The finials rest above rectangular inlaid panels which emulate vertical plinths, or chimneys. The cross-banded dial door is flanked with reeded columns with brass Corinthian capitals and bases. The door opens to a wonderfully painted dial of Boston origin.
This dial features a painted moon phase disk, decorated with hand painted scenes. One side of the moon disk features a landscape scene with a cottage, the other bears an image of a Naval ship. At the base of the lunette are two hemispheres, each decorated with terrestrial map transfers. The clock face has bold Arabic numerals to demark the hour and minutes. The dial is framed with some of the most vibrantly painted spandrels we have seen. It is fitted with a seconds bit and steel hands. A calendar aperture is located below the center arbor. The brass movement, which has recently been serviced, is in good running order and is of an eight-day duration. The movement is fitted with an original steel shaft pendulum with a brass capped lead bob and a pair of cast iron weights. The movement rests on a wooden “saddle board” and is original to the clock. The waist is flanked with reeded quarter columns. The case is highly decorated with multiple inlaid elements. The shaped pendulum door has vibrant oval center framed with multiple pattern and string inlays. A flared molding transitions to the square base panel, which again repeats the inlaid motif as above but with four quarter fans. The base of the clock has a fine double lobbed apron and French feet.
Dimensions
Overall height including center finial 95”; Width 19 3/4"; Depth 10 5/8"
Pricing
Sold.