Images(15)

Tall Case Clock

Date1781-1800

Maker Griffith Owen

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumMahogany, yellow pine, tulip poplar and cedar?; glass, brass, iron, and steel

DimensionsOH: 89 1/4"; OW: 21 3/4"; OD: 11 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Ann Booth Young

Object number2025-111,A-E

DescriptionTall case clock with flat top and delicate dentil and coved cornice molding on three sides; over plain tympanum; applied molding around hood over arched glazed door; four fluted columns (back quadrant of column not fluted) with wooden capitals and bases; coved molding below hood over trunk with fluted quarter columns and a rectangular trunk door with incurved top corners, with thumbnail molding and brass escutcheon; ogee waist molding over base with fluted quarter columns and bead molding surrounding flat panel on front of base with incurved top corners; ogee base molding and ogee bracket feet with projecting pad attached to underside of feet; 8-day movement with white painted arched dial; dial contains polychrome ship in arch with red flags flanked by raised floral spandrels; same raised floral spandrels in corners of dial, all likely originally gilded; black painted chapter ring with Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes and Arabic numerals for date around inside of chapter ring; black scrolled hands for time, straight black hand for seconds, and brass scrolled hand for date; center of dial has spring of pink flowers above hands and flanking winding holes; below hands is an arched opening with half-globes below for moon dial; below moon dial “Griffith Owen/ PHILADA”; pendulum with brass bob with incised circles on front; two cylindrical cast iron weights.Inscription(s)Scratched on reverse of bob "THOMAS/ OWEN / CLOCK" and "HM" or "WH"
On Dial "Griffith Owen/ PHILADA"

On rear of dial behind arch, indecipherable inscription that appears to have "By" and "1890" and "1890".

In pencil on front of backboard, top, proper left corner "Jn Order / 1-7-15-K[y?]"

Modern printed label on top of seat board, blue and white, "WILLIAM A. HEINE/ Clock Maker/ 31 South 40th Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA." In ink on label "Miss M.G. Thomas" Address "Whitford, Chester Co. P." Reg. "T593" Date "2/20/36"
Mark(s)"Griffith Owen/Phila" on dialProvenanceDescended in the Thomas Family of Chester County, Pennsylvania to donor.