Kentucky Federal cherry and mahogany tall-case clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Early 19th century
This Kentucky Federal tall-case clock features a brass eight-day movement and a painted sheet-iron dial. The case is constructed from cherry and poplar secondary woods and exhibits contrasting veneer work.
It stands 95 1/2 inches in height. The bonnet design incorporates an arched door and four full turned columns. The waist includes a hinged door flanked by chamfered corners with lamb's tongue terminals, resting on a panel base. The auction description notes potential alterations to the bonnet and that the clock may be missing its feet. It originates from the estate of Charlie Casper. The object is referenced in the literature, specifically the Speed Art Museum publication 'Making Time: The Art of the Kentucky Tall-Case Clock'.
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
- Height
- 95 1/2 inches
- Provenance
- Estate of Charlie Casper
- Dial material
- painted sheet-iron
- Movement type
- brass eight-day movement
- Place recorded
- United States
- Condition notes
- minor scattered wear
- Case construction materials
- cherry and poplar
Design
- Visible features
- • Painted dial includes moon phase indicator • Waist door features oval veneer inlay • Four full turned columns support the bonnet • Base has geometric veneer pattern
- Movement and Dial
- The timekeeping mechanism consists of a brass eight-day movement. The clock face is a painted sheet-iron dial. The dial includes a moon phase display at the top arch. The current working condition of the movement is unknown according to the auction house reports.
- Case Construction and Design
- The clock is housed in a tall-case constructed with cherry and poplar secondary woods. It exhibits contrasting veneer work on its exterior surfaces. The pediment bonnet features an arched door flanked by four full turned columns. The waist section is characterized by a hinged door flanked by chamfered corners that terminate in lamb's tongue details. The case stands on a panel base. The overall height of the clock is recorded as 95 1/2 inches. The auction description suggests the bonnet may have been altered and was possibly designed with a broken-arch top originally. It is further noted that the clock might be missing its feet.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The object originated from the estate of Charlie Casper of Pittsboro, North Carolina. The clock is referenced in the publication 'Making Time: The Art of the Kentucky Tall-Case Clock' by the Speed Art Museum. The publication provides information on a similar clock currently in the collection of Mack and Sharon Cox, which possesses a documented history of descent within the family of Senator John Brown of Frankfort, Kentucky.
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: Dial is likely re-painted
- Research required: Bonnet exhibits signs of alterations
- Research required: Clock may be lacking original feet