The Pierce-Nichols Family Mahogany Quarter-chiming Musical Tall Clock

Description:

The Pierce-Nichols Family Mahogany Quarter-chiming Musical Tall Clock, George Prior, London, c. 1780, the American case with brass stop-fluted, freestanding columns flanking the painted iron dial signed in the arch Geo. Prior, London, subsidiary dials marked Chime-Not Chime, musical tune selections, March/Song/Air/Dance, Arabic numerals and seconds bit, highly figured tombstone-shaped waist door with brass stop-fluted quarter-columns and segmented inlay, the base with scalloped apron and ogee bracket feet, eight-day, brass, three-train, weight-powered, quarter-chiming on eight bells, four-tune musical movement with large pin barrel and nest of twelve bells, all powered by three brass-cased weights and regulated by a pendulum, ht. 94 1/2 in.

Provenance: This clock is reported to be part of the original furnishings of the Pierce-Nichols House, 80 Federal Street, Salem, Massachusetts, standing in the front hall to the left of the door since 1782. By descent from the original owner.

According to clock furniture authority Douglas Currie, despite the similarity of this case to those made in Roxbury and Boston, this example shows a number of differences that support manufacture in Salem or Newburyport during the last quarter of the 18th century.
Estimate $15,000-25,000

Restoration to upper portion of hood fret, repairs to original ogee feet and base blocking, period brass-cased weights and pendulum, dial cleaned and relined with minor in-painting.

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