Tall case brass dial clock, ca. 1773.

ArchivalResource

Rittenhouse, David, 1732-1796. Tall case brass dial clock, ca. 1773.

Tall case brass dial clock, ca. 1773.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/668311597

Mahogany tall-case musical clock. The hood has a molded pediment terminating in carved rosettes with a central carved urn-and-flower cartouche, pierced fretwork, carved vines and acanthus leaves in the tympanum, a molded arch above the door, sidelights with astragal tops, free-standing fluted Corinthian columns with gilt capitals and bases at the four corners, and a glazed door with an astragal top. Waist with carved ornament and cove molding at the top, fluted quarter columns with gilt capitals and bases at the front corners, and applied panels flanking the case door. Base with carved ornament and cove molding at the top, applied carved ornament at the front panel, ogee molding at the bottom and supported on ogee bracket feet. Composite brass dial with applied chapter ring with roman hour numerals and arabic minute numerals, applied cast ornament in the spandrels and lunette, applied registers in each of the spandrels indicate the position of the sun and the moon and the zodiac, the Equation of Time, the moon's orbit of the earth, and the numerals 1-10 for tune selection. The orrery in the lunette indicates the position of the six planets known at the time of construction (Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury) and their positions. The sliding bar on the left determines the frequency of the striking and the bar on the right determines the frequency of the musical chimes. Inside the chapter ring there is a moon phase dial. The names of the months of the year are engraved on the outer edge, and the current month is indicated with a sweep hand. There is a calendar aperture at the center, surrounded by elaborate engraved foliate ornament. Sweep seconds hand. An applied plaque below the chapter ring is inscribed "David Rittenhouse Fecit." Thirty day movement.

H: 108" W: 25" D: 15"

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