Hand-Painted Dial Grandfather Clock
Decorative Art, Horology (Grandfather/Tall Case Clock) • American or British Regional Clockmaker; likely a mass-market production using a standard movement and hand-finished dial
Style & Movement
Chippendale Revival / Colonial Revival
Medium & Technique
Mahogany-finished wood case, hand-painted white iron dial with floral and shell motifs, brass movement components, and glass pane
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 19th Century (c. 1850-1890)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 84-90 inches (height) x 18 inches (width); Vertical pillar format
Subject Description
The dial features a lunette arch with a hand-painted basket of fruit and flowers; the spandrels are adorned with shell motifs. The case features a broken-pediment bonnet with finials and turned ebonized columns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the wood case shows surface wear and abrasions, while the dial displays significant yellowing, crazing of the paint, and age-related patina on the metal hands.
Estimated Market Value
$1,000 - $2,500
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,800
Provenance History
Unknown; likely passed through domestic private collections. Common for middle-to-upper class households in the 19th century.
Art Historical Significance
A representative piece of 19th-century domestic timekeeping that blends functional engineering with folk-informed decorative arts, illustrating the transition from bespoke craft to industrial furniture production.
Notable Features
The ebonized contrast of the columns against the mahogany finish and the distinctive shell-patterned spandrels suggest a specific regional workshop influence.
Condition Issues
Notable paint loss and craquelure on the dial surface; surface scratches on the waist and plinth of the case; potential mechanical wear to the escapement and strike train.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of the movement; stabilization of the paint on the dial to prevent further flaking; gentle waxing of the wood case; keep in a stable humidity environment.