Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2009.15 |
Object Name |
Clock |
Title |
Tall Case Clock |
Artist |
Duffield, Edward |
Date |
1750-75 |
Description |
The case has a hood with molded swan's neck cresting, terminating in leafy rosettes. It is flanked and centered with carved wooden finials in the form of flaming urns above a bold extrados-molding, enclosing a column-cornered domical glazed face-door. The brass dial contains scrollwork spandrels and black enameled Roman and Arabic numerals in hour and minute rings respectively. There is a sunk seconds dial above two keyholes and date register, all beneath a lunette centered with a circular brass boss inscribed "Edw. Duffield Philadelphia." The waisted case beneath has a carved, fluted, quarter column corners which flank a hinged molded trunk-door of fine grain, shaped to the top. The base has conforming corners and molded panel above a stepped molding which is raised on shaped, ogival bracket feet. (Murphy D. Smith, "Due Reverence," 1992). |
Label |
This clock is one of two (along with 58.63) listed in the inventory of Benjamin Franklin's possessions after his death in 1790. It was probably the “Clock (on the stairs),” then valued at 20 pounds sterling. Edward Duffield, a famous Philadelphia clockmaker, close friend of Franklin's, and executor of his will, constructed the timepiece. Duffield installed the first public clock in Philadelphia outside his store on the northwest corner of Second and Arch Streets. According to legend, Franklin suggested the idea to Duffield because he was tired of workers constantly asking him and other gentlemen for the time from their pocket watches (then expensive accessories that only the well-to-do could afford). Duffield was also responsible for maintaining the town clock at the State House (now Independence Hall). While Duffield designed clock mechanisms and sold tall-case clocks such as this one in his store, he commissioned the cases from the best cabinetmakers in the city. |
Dimensions |
H-104 W-21.5 D-11 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century Founding Father timepiece |