Federal Mahogany Inlaid Tall Case Clock

Description:

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Tall Case Clock, Simon Willard, Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1802, the hood with pierced brass fretwork joining finials on inlaid plinths above the arched cornice molding and glazed inlaid tombstone door opening to a polychrome and gilt moon phase dial with floral spandrels, seconds hand and calendar aperture inscribed "Simon Willard 1574," and brass eight-day weight-driven movement, all with flanked reeded brass stop-fluted columns on molded and inlaid waist door flanked by reeded brass stop-fluted quarter-columns on crossbanded and inlaid base, old finish, (imperfections),ht. 89 1/2 in.

Provenance: Family descent from sea captain Nathaniel Kinsman, of Salem, Massachusetts, who was involved in the China trade; see lot 60.

Note: Lot is accompanied by Simon Willard's receipt for a clock, bill of sale reads, "Salem July 5, 1802. General Stephen Abbot Bot of Simon Willard and warrented eight day clock all complete said clock is now at W. Sandersons which he promises to deliver in seven days $60-... Pay in full Simon Willard."

Stephen Abbot was a military officer in the 11th Massachusetts Regiment in the Revolutionary War. He commanded a company stationed at West Point in 1779 and 1780, arriving there from Andover, Massachusetts. This and additional information about his military involvement at Fort Ticonderoga may be found in Andover Symbol of New England, by Claude Fuess, published by the Andover Historical Society and the North Andover Historical Society, 1959, as well as in Historical Sketches of Andover, by Sarah L. Bailey, Boston, 1880. He is likely the General Stephen Abbot who was the original owner of this tall case clock.
Estimate $20,000-30,000

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