Tall Case Clock
Maker
Joseph Hollinshead
Period1749 - 1765
MediumWalnut with pine back boards; pewter, gilded brass, and enameled metal
Dimensions98.5 × 20.63 × 10.75 in. (250.2 × 52.4 × 27.3 cm)
InscribedChalk inscription on the inside of the door and on the backboard interior reads "J-I & S." In pencil beneath the chalk inscription, "Williams. April 15th 1887." In chalk on the inside of the door "Joakim Hill / Flemington / Dec. 18th 1865." In pencil on the works shelf, "Retingburg."
SignedInscribed on the clock face "Jos. Hollinshead / Burlington."
ClassificationsClocks
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Charles W. Dawson, 1932
Object number1991.661
DescriptionThe bonnet, also known as the hood, section includes a stepped flat cornice with an applied cove molding. Three turned urn-style finials sit atop the bonnet, with the center finial resting on a small plinth. The glazed dial door is constructed with an arched top. Two small arch-topped glass panels are set into the left and right sides of the bonnet. Two full turned corner columns flank the dial door, and two quarter-turned columns fit into the angle created by the bonnet side panel and backboard. The waist section is simply constructed with a solid panel arched case door and applied deeply coved waist molding. The plain base section includes applied stepped and base molding. The chapter ring of the clock face is silvered brass with black numerals and includes a smaller second hand dial. A large circular medallion mounted above the clock face, also of silvered brass, is engraved "Jos. Hollinshead / Burlington." Both medallion and clock face are flanked by elaborate gilded brass spandrels featuring putti, dolphins, and scrollwork. Pieces of newsprint glued over a crack in the backboard and on the bonnet back are dated 1818 and 1819.NotesJoseph Hollinshead, working from 1740 to 1765, was apprenticed to Isaac Pearson, a silversmith, watch and clockmaker of Burlington, Burlington County. He later worked as a journeyman for his master, and then became his partner. Hollinshead married Pearson's daughter Sarah on 17 May 1740. On Pearson's death in 1749, Hollinshead took over the business. Pearson willed his son-in-law ". . . All my Clock, Watch and Silver Smith's Tools." After his first wife's death, which left no issue, Hollinshead remarried, this time to Martha Howe. Of his four sons from this marriage, John and Joseph Jr. worked together in making clocks. The inscription on the inside of the door that reads "Joakim Hill / Flemington / Dec. 18th 1865." means that Joachim Hill (1783 - 1869), a well-known New Jersey clockmaker, either repaired or cleaned the clock on that date.
Collections
