A classic wall timepiece signed on the dial by Joseph Nye Dunning, one of Vermont’s most prolific clockmakers. This clock was made in Burlington, Vermont, circa 1833. 223081.
This timepiece case is constructed in mahogany. The original finish has been enhanced with wax. This process promotes the deep, rich tones of this exotic wood. On close inspection, you can see the craquelure of the original surface. A modern wood-turned acorn finial is mounted on a stepped plinth at the top of the case. The throat and lower door frames are flat, and each corner features a slightly raised block. Both of the wooden frames are fitted with reverse-painted glass tablets. The tablets are hand-painted in excellent color and depict traditional themes. They are original to the clock and are in fantastic original condition. The artwork exhibited in the throat tablet features several linearly formatted floral patterns. The lower tablet depicts a classical scene. A woman, perhaps the mother, is seated at a table. She is sewing and maybe instructing the two girls, possibly her daughters, who are kneeling on the floor in front of her. All three figures are wonderfully dressed. Above them is an opening in the gray background. This is framed in yellow radiants. This small opening in the decoration allows one to see the gilt of the brass pendulum bob as it swings in a side-to-side motion inside the case. The lower door locks closed on the left via a push-button latch mechanism.
Traditionally shaped brass sidearms are mounted along the waist section. The cast brass dial bezel is fitted with glass and opens to access the dial. The dial bezel also locks with a push-button latch.
The painted metal dial is formatted with Roman-style hour numerals positioned inside a closed minute ring. Open moon-style steel hands display the time. The clock is signed here on the dial, “J. N. Dunning.”
Behind the dial is a brass, weight-driven movement. It is designed to run for eight days once fully wound. Two screws through the back plate secure it to the case. The teeth in the gear train are deeply cut. The pendulum is suspended in front of the works by a bridge. The metal pendulum rod is fitted with a Concord-style keystone and a brass-faced bob. The outline of the original butterfly-shaped tie-down remains on the weight tin. Unfortunately, it is now missing.
This mahogany case measures approximately 33.5 inches in length, 10 inches in width, and 3.5 inches in depth.
Inventory number 223081.
Joseph Nye Dunning was born in Brunswick, Maine, on January 2, 1795, as the ninth child of John Dunning (1738-1831) and Lois (Hinckley) Dunning (1753-1811). The identity of his clockmaking mentor remains unknown. If Dunning apprenticed in Brunswick, possible mentors include Charles Bisbee Jr (1758-1833), Robert Eastman, and James Cary. Alternatively, it is speculated that he may have relocated to Concord, Massachusetts, to work under Lemuel Curtis, a Willard-trained clockmaker. Records indicate that Dunning worked as a journeyman for Curtis before 1818. In 1818, Dunning moved to Burlington, Vermont. Curtis left his shop in Concord in the care of Joseph Dyar and moved to Burlington in 1821. In the spring of 1821, Curtis and Dunning formally advertised their partnership in The Northern Sentinel, announcing that they had established spacious workshops in a building on the northeast corner of Court House Square. They intended to manufacture “all kinds of eight-day Brass Clocks for Meeting Houses, Banks, Parlours and other rooms.” Shortly thereafter, they relocated to a three-story brick building on the east side of Church Street. During this period, Burlington experienced significant economic growth. Curtis and Dunning became two of Vermont's most prolific manufacturers of wall timepieces. In addition to clockmaking, they engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate, watches, jewelry, military goods, and musical instruments. The partnership dissolved in 1832, after which Dunning continued to operate independently in a shop located on Church Street above the jewelry store of R. Fitzgerald. Dunning died in Burlington, Vermont, on December 14, 1841, bankrupt at the age of 48.
For further discussion of Vermont-made timepieces and the work of Joseph Dunning, consult Paul Foley's book, Willard's Patent Timepieces.
