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Tall Case Clock

Date1735-1755

Maker Joseph Wills

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumBlack walnut, yellow pine, tulip poplar, inlaid wood, and glass; brass, steel, iron

DimensionsCase: OH: 93”; OW: 19 ¾”; OD: 12 9/16 Pendulum: 44 3/16"; diam: 3.5"; depth: 0.8" weight: OH: 5 1/2"; 2 3/8" diam.

Credit LineGift of Richard A. Mones M.D.

Object number2021-4,A-D

DescriptionBlack walnut tall case clock; flat topped hood with molded cornice above a square glazed door flanked by engaged baluster shaped columns at the front and engaged half columns at the rear; rectangular glazed windows on sides of hood; coved molding under hood above trunk with a door with an arched top, round lentical in center, and inlaid two-toned four pointed star above; plain base with molded base molding; evidence of former front feet tenoned into case; original rectangular patches with molded edges applied to sides of trunk where sides relieved for pendulum to swing further than the interior of the trunk sides.

Dial:
One piece, 10 ½” square, 0.55” thick brass dial. Silvered chapter ring with Roman hour and large Arabic minute numerals; hour numerals interspersed with engraved fleur-de-lis type motif; minute numerals have related diamond shape, from top of fleur-de-lis element between the 5/10, 20/25, 35/40, and 50/55 numerals; center engraved with a floral motif in a circle around the hands with nine points of a compass rose radiating from central motif above an arched band of silver engraved “JOSEPH WILLS”; date aperture below maker’s name plate; cast spandrels with cherubs and crown motif in corners; steel hour and minute hands.

Movement description:
Thirty-hour brass time, strike, and calendar, endless chain, weight-driven movement measuring 5.4” H x 5.8” W. Movement is similar to earlier period lantern clock construction with two solid horizontal plates, four vertical columns, and three vertical partial plates supporting the gearing (as opposed to typical vertical plates and horizontal columns). Top plate thickness is 0.090”. Bottom plate thickness is 0.103”. The clearance between top and bottom plates is 5.2””. Clock has an anchor-recoil escapement regulated by a seconds beat pendulum. A count wheel strike mounted outside the back vertical plate sounds the hours on a 5.1” diameter cast bell. The strike hammer head is pyramidal in shape and strikes out to strike inside the bell.

The movement is fastened to the seat board by steel screws threaded into the bottom plate. All time and strike train wheels have four-arm crossings. The motion work gearing is solid. The round steel crutch-rod has a closed-end fork. The escapement is positioned above the top plate. The pendulum bridge is fastened to the top plate with two screws. The iron bell stand is fastened to the top plate.

The overall length of the pendulum is 44 3/16”. The pendulum rod is .125” diameter steel. The bob is cast iron with a polished brass face. It is 3.5” diameter and 0.8” thick. The weight pulley is wood with iron stirrup. The weight is cylindrical cast iron, 2 3/8” diameter and 5 1/2” long.
Label TextPhiladelphia’s early clockmaking community was dominated by three clockmakers (and their families): Peter Stretch, John Wood, and Joseph Wills. Stretch is celebrated today, and was in the period, for his elegant clocks and sarcophagus topped cases, but Wills focused more heavily on producing less expensive 30-hour clocks.

Likely born in Devon, England around 1700, Wills arrived in Philadelphia about 1725 and worked there until his death in 1759. Based on his probate inventory, he was clearly manufacturing and casting many of the parts found in his clocks rather than relying on imported English parts. Some of Wills' clock were likely sold by other retailers; silversmith Joseph Richardson is documented as purchasing clocks from Wills.

Many of Wills’ 30-hour clocks, including this one, exhibit an interesting design featuring four pillars at the corners rather than the more traditional solid brass plates. This design was influenced by earlier lantern clock construction. While Peter Stretch is known to have produced lantern clocks in England prior to immigrating, his Philadelphia clocks typically have plates rather than pillars.
Inscribed“JOSEPH WILLS” engraved on dial; Engraved “A” (or V shape) on top plate of movement and back of dial.
ProvenanceDonor acquired at Northeast Auctions; believed to have previously been owned by New York collector Anthony Sposato.