Chippendale Walnut Tall Case Clock by David Rittenhouse
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1765
This American Chippendale tall case clock features a movement and composite dial attributed to David Rittenhouse of Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, dating to circa 1765.
The dial is engraved 'David Rittenhouse Norriton' and includes an arched painted moon phase aperture. The walnut case stands 87 inches high with an arched hood and turned colonnettes. Freeman's auction condition report notes that the walnut case is later than the face and works, and the seat board holes do not align with the case cheeks or wedges. Accessories include weights, a winder, a case key, and a damaged pendulum.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Tall case clock
- Dimensions
- 87 in. x 18 ¼ in. x 11 ¼ in.
- Complication
- Painted moon phase mechanism
- Dial Engraving
- David Rittenhouse Norriton
- Place recorded
- United States
- Date and Origin
- Norriton Township, Montgomery County, PA, circa 1765
- Case Association
- Later than face and works
- Maker / attribution
- David Rittenhouse
Design
- Visible features
- • Walnut tall case with an arched hood framed by colonnettes. • Arched composite dial plate featuring corner spandrels and a moon phase display in the arch. • Waist door with an arched top profile and key escutcheon. • Moulded plinth base set on bracket feet.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The composite dial is engraved 'David Rittenhouse Norriton' and includes a painted moon phase mechanism. The clock is supplied with weights, a winder, a case key, and a pendulum. The pendulum is described as not functional and in several pieces. The source does not provide documentation or imagery of the internal movement.
- Attribution and Provenance
- The clock is attributed to David Rittenhouse of Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, dating to circa 1765. The source notes that it has been suggested by scholars that the clock is one of eight authentic Rittenhouse clocks in private hands. The provenance is identified as the collection of a South Carolina gentleman.
- Case Construction and Condition
- The walnut case stands 87 inches high. The auction documentation notes that the case is later than the face and works. Reported condition issues include a missing superstructure on the hood, a missing glue block, a cracked base board with a missing segment, and feet that have lost some height. The seat board does not fit the case, extending beyond the cheeks by about half an inch, and its mounting holes do not align with the case cheeks or wedges.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Source condition report notes the case is later than the face and works.
- Research required: Seat board holes do not match case cheeks or wedges and the board extends beyond the cheeks by about half an inch.
- Research required: Pendulum is in several pieces and not functional; hood is missing a superstructure.
- Research required: Internal movement is not pictured.