Elnathan Taber inlaid mahogany Federal tall case clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1810
This Federal-period tall case clock is attributed to clockmaker Elnathan Taber, dated circa 1810. The clock features an inlaid mahogany case standing 94 inches tall, incorporating rich wood veneers and cross-banded edges on the pendulum door and lower panel.
The hood is characterized by delicate fretwork and is crowned with brass ball and spire finials. It rests upon a base with a shaped apron and tall French feet. The dial includes a moon phase display and plaid corner spandrels. The dial is signed "Warranted by / E. Taber / for Nathl.. Johnson," referencing Nathaniel Johnson, a Boston coppersmith active during the early 19th century. Internally, the clock is equipped with brass-capped pendulums and tin can weights.
The piece retains an original set-up label located on the pendulum door. Its provenance includes the collection of Rick Currier, a former board president of The Willard House and Clock Museum.
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
- Date
- circa 1810
- Type
- Tall case clock
- Maker
- Elnathan Taber
- Height
- 94 inches
- Signature
- Warranted by E. Taber for Nathl. Johnson
- Components
- Brass-capped pendulum and tin can weights
- Provenance
- Collection of Rick Currier
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- Elnathan Taber
Design
- Visible features
- • Presence of fretwork atop the clock hood • Plaid pattern decorative spandrels on the dial • Moon phase aperture located above the center of the dial • Visible cross-banding on the central pendulum door
- Dial and Signature
- The dial is decorated with plaid corner spandrels and incorporates a moon phase mechanism. The dial serves as the primary location for the maker's signature, which states: 'Warranted by / E. Taber / for Nathl.. Johnson.' The source identifies Nathaniel Johnson as a Boston coppersmith active in the early 1800s. The dial surface retains its old varnish, as documented in the item description.
- Case and Construction
- The clock is housed in an inlaid mahogany Federal tall case. The woodwork is defined by richly grained veneers applied to the pendulum door and the lower panel, both of which feature cross-banded edges. The base is supported by tall French feet and includes a shaped apron, providing the foundational structure for the 94-inch high object. The upper section consists of a hood featuring intricate fretwork. The visual presentation is completed by brass ball and spire finials. According to the auction report, the construction includes the use of old mending boards on the underside of the clock.
- Documentation and Provenance
- This clock is accompanied by an original set-up label, which is located on the pendulum door. This label provides primary information regarding the clock's assembly and initial configuration. The object carries provenance from the collection of Rick Currier, who served as the long-term president of the board of directors for The Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton, Massachusetts.
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: The dial is noted by the source as having old varnish
- Research required: The underside of the clock contains old mending boards