A superb antique Federal tall case clock with an animated rocking ship movement, by Josiah Gooding, Bristol, Rhode Island, circa 1815.

 This finely proportioned antique tall case clock retains a fantastic old finish which is likely the original surface. The movement features a desirable animated rocking ship and was made by the rare clockmaker Josiah Gooding [1777-1867]. His brother Joseph Gooding trained him and his three brothers, Alanson, Henry and John as clockmakers. The Gooding family worked throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island from the late 18th Century through the mid 19th Century. Josiah was the most prolific of this family of clockmakers and located his business on the Massachusetts border in Bristol, Rhode Island. His tall case clocks typically feature sophisticated, high style cases with choice woods and inlays, that closely resemble those produced by the first rate cabinetmakers in the Boston shop of John and Thomas Seymour. It is likely that these cases were ordered from Boston or made by a Boston trained cabinetmaker that had relocated to Gooding’s area. The clock retains a dark, crenellated surface with a rich color that appears to be original. The dial features a concave painted lunette decorated with a coastal seascape with a lighthouse and cottage on a rocky island. An animated sailing ship is set against this background and rocks left and right with the beat of the pendulum. The ship is depicted as a frigate or warship flying an American flag. These appealing animated dials were offered as a premium option for the finest tall case clocks of the period and are highly prized by collectors. The dial is signed below the center arbor with the maker’s name and locale “J. GOODING / BRISTOL”.

Dimensions

Height: 96 ½”, with center finial, Width at base: 20 ¼” Depth: 10".