An important late Chippendale tall case clock made by Daniel Rose of Reading, Pennsylvania. Berks County.

Daniel Rose, the son of Erhard and Eva Roos (later spelled Rose) was born in 1749. It is thought that he was trained in Reading as a clockmaker under Valentin Urelertig. His apprenticeship would have started in 1763 and ended sometime in 1770. During the Revolution, Daniel served as a drummer boy and latter as a lieutenant. It is logical to assume that he made a few clocks prior to the hostilities, but his main output would have been post war. The number of surviving painted dial clocks certainly bears this out. Besides clockmaking, Daniel Rose was an accomplished musician, woodworker and later in life a gifted politician. He served the legislature. He died a wealthy man, well respected by his peers.

This exceptional example exhibits modest proportions for a clock case constructed with strong Germanic influences. The case is constructed in solid walnut and features many Chippendale features throughout it’s construction. The wood used is well planned and choice selections are prominently displayed in the main focal points of the case.

This case stands on four boldly formed applied ogee bracket feet. They are applied to the base board and base molding of the clock case. The base section features inset quarter columns. These are fluted and terminate in turned wooden quarter capitals. These help center an applied panel. The panel is nicely figured and is softened with a simple molded edge. Large moldings that incorporate an “S” curve help transition the waist section from the base and bonnet. This waist section is long and narrow. The sides of the waist also share the inset quarter column design found in the front two corners of the base. The waist door is nicely shaped at the top and features a crotch section of grain. Through this door, one can access the weights and pendulum. The bonnet is a swans neck pediment form. The upper molding is boldly formed and terminates in large carved wooden rosettes. Note the use of dental details in this location. The bonnet is surmounted with three wooden finials. The tops of which are formatted in a carved flame. Fully turned and twisted bonnet columns ending in wooden capitals flank the arched glazed door which opens to a colorfully painted iron dial.

This bears the false plate of Ashwin & Co. This British dial firm was in business in 1785-1795. Many dials from this firm are found on American clocks. The painted dial has the traditional displays of hours, minutes, seconds and calendar date. The hours are depicted in the new fashion Arabic style. This dial is unusual in that the fields are painted inn blue. This is somewhat uncommon. The more traditional format would be a white field shared by the center of the dial. The four spandrel areas are decorated with gesso ornamentation which is highlighted with gilt paint. The Maker’s name and working location are located in the center of the dial. In the arch is a scene that depicts Britannia and her lion. This is the symbol of the British Empire. Here she is depicted with her right arm extended holding out an olive branch. This is interesting given the recent troubles the newly formed United States of America had had with England. This includes the embargoes against English goods that still made trade somewhat difficult. This peace making message depicted here is somewhat timely. This dial is in excellent original condition.

As in all Daniel Rose’s clocks, the movement is beautifully made with lots attention to detail. One peculiar feature is that the pendulum is not a full meter in length. This abnormality may have been discovered during initial testing. The result would be that the clock beats faster than sixty beats per minute which is the standard for a clock of this form. Rose, no doubt found it easier and less expensive to rectify the mistake in the number of teeth he had cut on one of the gears. The solution is to simply shorten the pendulum in order to correct the time keeping error. We have seen this before in other clocks made during this period. Even amongst the work of quite fastidious men like Daniel Rose. The movement is constructed in brass and is designed to run eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.

This fine clock stands approximately 8 feet 4 inches tall to the top of the center finial. It was made circa 1790.