Frederic Wingate of Augusta, Maine. No. 180. Made circa 1820. A well-proportioned, cross-banded mahogany case tall clock, retaining its first finish. 225169.
If you are a fan of original finish, this is the one. I don't know if a better Wingate tall clock exists. The original shellac finish has broken down, creating a textured surface that covers the mahogany surfaces. It has also darkened considerably with age and is now a uniform color. Even the brass appointments show no evidence of being molested. The current case presentation contrasts with the incredible painted iron dial and its colorful decorations. It is an exceptional example of his work.
The case stands on applied French feet. Their design includes a forward splay and a drop apron. They are visually separated from the base section by a cross-banded border that frames the base panel. A traditional cove molding transitions the base into the waist section, which is fitted with inset quarter columns at its front corners. They terminate in brass quarter capitals and bases. The columns are smoothly shaped and feature a series of ring-turned designs. In the center of the waist is a rectangular waist door, trimmed with an applied molding. A brass oval escutcheon frames the access to the lock. The door's panel features a choice selection of mahogany veneer. The grain pattern exhibits long sweeping lines that run the length of the panel. The door panel is also framed with a cross-banded mahogany border. The door opens to access the space where the two drive weights descend and where the brass-faced pendulum bob swings inside the case. The bonnet features a New England-style pierced and open fretwork pattern that is seen on other Augusta-made cases. Three-period brass finials are mounted on the wooden finial plinths. The bonnet columns are smoothly turned and decoratively shaped. They are free-standing and mounted in brass capitals and bases. They flank the arched hood door, which is fitted with protective glass.
This dial is colorfully painted. It was painted in Boston by the Nolen & Curtis (Samuel) firm (1814-1822). The artistry is excellent. Featured in the arch of the dial is a still life comprising several large red apples, a bunch of green grapes, and an exotic pineapple. The spandrel areas are colorfully decorated with Federal American shields and gilt swags. A gilt ring frames the time ring. Arabic numerals are located at the quarter-hour positions. A dotted minute ring separates them from the Arabic numerals for hours. This dial also displays the month's date and subsidiary seconds in their traditional locations. Below the calendar, this dial is signed "Frederic Wingate." This signature area also includes his working location, "Augusta," and is numbered "No. 180." This dial is in incredible original condition. Please note the wonderfully shaped steel hands.
The two-train movement is brass, eight-day duration, and of good quality. Four turned brass pillars, or posts, support the two large brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, grooved winding drums, and recoil escapement. The movement is weight-driven and will run for eight days on a full wind once fully wound. It is a two-train, time-and-strike design with a rack-and-snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. The movement is mounted to a wooden saddleboard that rests on the case's rails.
This clock was made circa 1820.
Inventory number 225169.
Frederick Wingate was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on January 11, 1782, and died in Augusta, Maine, on November 16, 1864. His parents were William Wingate (1745-1821) and Mehitable (Bradley) Wingate (1747-1796). His older brother, Paine Wingate (1767-1833), worked as a clockmaker in Boston as early as 1789 and returned to Haverhill before 1795, possibly giving him the chance to train Frederick. On January 17, 1806, Frederick married Hannah Page of Haverhill, and that same year, they moved to Augusta, Maine. A label inside one of his tall clocks from 1806 says he had for sale "good warranted Brass Eight Day Clocks, well finished and as handsome as can be purchased in the metrolopus. Also – Warranted WATCHES... / CHAINS, SEALS, KEYS & etc."
In 1814, Frederick served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Soon after, he began advertising different military goods for sale.
Frederick worked as a silversmith, watchmaker, and clockmaker, and became one of Maine's most prolific clockmakers. He may have learned his trade in Massachusetts before moving to Augusta. As a clockmaker, he made many tall clocks, as well as some banjo and mirror clocks. Many of his tall clock dials are numbered, with the lowest recorded by our family being 15 and the highest 302. In 1808, Frederick taught Benjamin Swan, who was from Augusta, to make clocks. Swan's clocks are often very similar to Frederick's, sharing features like case design, contrasting woods, and Nolen & Curtis dials. Many Augusta clocks also use figured maple in the waist door and base panel, have distinctively shaped waist and hood columns, and Boston-painted dials by Spencer Nolen. Quite a few Wingate clocks still have their original setup labels, which are usually pasted inside the waist door and help date the clocks.
