This walnut tall case clock represents the height of Philadelphia Chippendale cabinetmaking. The crest features a fully carved basket of flowers between an arch with carved rosettes and lattice webbing above a tympanum with applied carved vine-work. The case survives in a wonderful early surface with a rich color. The dry old surface on the crest is particularly pleasing. The nicely proportioned case has a paneled base, flanked by a distinctively carved front corners, a motif found on other fine Philadelphia clocks. The case houses an important brass movement, which features a quarter chiming function played on four bells. Made prior to the period when musical and chiming clock making had caught hold in America, it was common to import these complicated movements and case them here. This movement was imported from England and housed in its original American case. It has a brass dial that retains a pleasing old surface and is signed by London clockmaker Joshua Wilson.

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