Tiger Maple Tall Case Clock by Reuben Ingraham
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th Century
This tall case clock, constructed from tiger maple, is attributed to the clockmaker Reuben Ingraham (1743-1811) of Plainfield, Connecticut. The clock features a bonnet-top design with an arched top, turned finials, and pilasters, accented by a spoked central rondel.
The case includes bold moldings beneath the bonnet and at the waist, complemented by quarter-round turned pilasters. The door is detailed with a distinctive heart-shaped pendulum window. The dial is composed of engraved brass, and the movement consists of brass works, powered by weights and a pendulum. According to the auction documentation, the case wood was reportedly harvested from the property of Stephen Hall in Plainfield, Connecticut, and referenced in his will.
The clock stands 85 inches high, 21.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep, and it has been previously featured in an issue of Antiques Magazine from September 1940.
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
- Longcase clock
- Maker
- Reuben Ingraham
- Material
- Tiger maple
- Dimensions
- 85"h. 21.5"w. 10.5"d.
- Literature
- Antiques Magazine, September 1940
- Provenance
- Stephen Hall, William F. Hall
- Dial Material
- Brass
- Place recorded
- American
- Maker / attribution
- Reuben Ingraham
- Mechanical Components
- Brass works, weights, pendulum
Design
- Visible features
- • Arched dial door with an integrated heart-shaped aperture • Tiger maple wood grain visible on the main case and trunk • Bonnet hood topped with turned wooden finials • Engraved brass dial plate visible within the arched hood door
- Movement and Dial
- The timekeeping mechanism is driven by brass works. , which are visible through the heart-shaped opening in the door. The dial itself is crafted from engraved brass, which matches the aesthetic of the period described. The clock's internal support structure has undergone repairs. The current auction condition report indicates that the original seat board has been replaced. Additionally, structural modifications include the installation of shims on the sides of the seat board at the back of the dial and the addition of one-inch cubes to the back of the case to meet the seat board.
- Construction and Exterior
- The clock case is executed in tiger maple and follows a traditional bonnet-top architectural form. The hood is characterized by an arched top fitted with turned finials and flanked by pilasters. A decorative spoked central rondel serves as a focal point for the arch. The trunk section exhibits bold moldings placed both under the bonnet and at the waist, providing a transition between the upper and lower elements. Further ornamentation includes quarter-round turned pilasters running along the case. The door of the trunk is notable for an inset heart-shaped pendulum window. The base features simple moldings, anchoring the overall structure. The visual presentation of the tiger maple suggests high-quality timber, which provenance records identify as being sourced from the Connecticut property of the original owner, Stephen Hall.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The history of this object is traced back to its original owner, Stephen Hall. It passed through the family to William F. Hall. The piece has maintained a documented history, having been featured in the September 1940 edition of Antiques Magazine. Reuben Ingraham, the maker, was active in Plainfield, Connecticut, and held an apprenticeship under John Avery, Sr. This connection places the clock within a regional tradition of clockmaking in Connecticut during the late 18th century.
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: Origin of the wood is based on repute rather than independent verification
- Research required: The seat board and saddle board have been replaced, affecting original internal components
- Research required: Shimming has been added to the rear of the case to accommodate the seat board