Shelf clock

1790–1800

Object PlaceRoxbury, Massachusetts, United States

Medium/TechniqueMahogany, white pine, painted dial and brass works

DimensionsOverall: 83.8 x 34.3 x 15.9 cm (33 x 13 1/2 x 6 1/4 in.)

Credit LineGift of William L. Orton in memory of George D. and Emily S. Orton and Alfred J. and Jane Lydston and families

Accession number1983.748

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsFurniture

Collections

Americas

InscriptionsFace signed: "A * WILLARD" In pencil on front of backboard, behind clock mechanism: "Melrose Highlands Mass. / May 1st MDCCCXCIX / ____________ / Bought in 1850 / by A. H. Lydston / It was undoubtedly over 50 years / old at that time / Geo. D. Orton" Numerous inscriptions relating to repairs on brass back plate, including: "Cleaned by E. Taber Dec, 4, 1837 Ditto Ditto April 25, 1843 Ditto T. Taber Jan. 31, 1853 Cleaned by T. Taber Dec. 29, 1854 Cleaned by T. Taber Aug, 1858 Cleaned by [illegible] Feb. 18, 1964 Cleaned by Albert McIntosh Sept. 17, 1872 Ditto C. McIntosh, Oct. 11, 1886 Cleaned by Baker, Sept. 10, 1892 OS [?] Zara March 20, 1920"

ProvenanceBy tradition, acquired in the 1840s by the donor's family as "payment for services rendered," possibly by George D. and Emily S. Orton and/or Alfred J. and Jane Lydston; 1918. by descent in the family to the donor, William L. Orton, South Harwich, Massachusetts; 1983, gift of William L. Horton (Accession Date January 11, 1984). February 26, 2015, deaccessioned by the MFA for sale through Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.