James Perrigo, Jr., Wrentham, Massachusetts. A southeastern Massachusetts tall clock cased in cherry. XX-36.
This exceptional cherry case clock showcases quintessential New England proportions. Its matured finish, which is rarer than most, enriches the wood with a delightful hue. The case is elegantly perched on an applied bracket base, with the feet and drop apron boasting a more intricate design than usual. The cherry board forming the base's front panel is positioned horizontally, with a minor repair to the upper right corner. The waist section is adorned with a long tombstone-shaped molded edge waist door, and the front corners of the waist are canted. This unique design element culminates at each end with a lamb's tongue molding. The open fretwork-style bonnet is adorned with three brass ball-and-spiked finials, supported on finial plinths that also bolster the fancy fretwork design. The bonnet features an arched glazed door flanked by fully turned and fluted bonnet columns mounted in brass capitals.
The colorfully paint-decorated clock dial is iron and is a product of the Boston ornamental artist Spencer Nolen. The quality of the artwork is excellent, and it is fitted directly to the movement without a falseplate. This dial is signed "I * PERRIGO" below the calendar aperture. We have owned several Perrigo examples signed in this fashion. The style is all caps, and the "J" for James is substituted with a capital "I." The spandrel areas and the dial arch are adorned with colorful florals. Roses are the predominant theme. The hours are marked with large Roman-style numerals. The large Arabic five-minute markers are located on the outside of the dotted minute ring. The subsidiary seconds dial, and a calendar date display opening are inside this ring. Nicely shaped steel-formed hands display the time.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned brass pillars provide sturdy support for the two narrow-shaped brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The winding drums are grooved from the front to the back. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days fully wound. It is a two-train or a time and strike design having 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 strike hammer is returned to the ready position via a coil spring.
This clock was made circa 1805. The overall height is inches or 7 feet inches tall. It is approximately 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Presently, a James Perrigo tall clock is in the Dedham Historical Society collection in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Inventory Number XX-36.
James Perrigo Jr. was born in Wrentham on June 2, 1771, and died there on June 6, 1834, at 63. His parents were James Perrigo (1731-1808) and Elisabeth Perrigo (1738-1798). James is a second-generation Clockmaker, and his clocks are sometimes confused with those made by his Father, James Perrigo Sr. (1737 - 1808 ). James Sr owned a large farm and was most likely the Maker of clocks with wooden geared movements. Jr's clocks resemble the style of the latter Massachusetts Makers, such as the Willards and their competitors. James Jr also had a Brother, Jared (1796-1808), who is also listed as a clockmaker and a physician. In January of 1800, James Jr advertised from Franklin that he had hired a journeyman watchmaker and now offered watch repairing at that location. James Jr. was a clockmaker, a machinist, and a Freemason. It is recorded that his house and farm, passed down from his father, was located at 234 Main Street and demolished around 2015.
Presently, a James Perrigo tall clock is in the collection at the Dedham Historical Society in Dedham, Massachusetts.
