John Bailey II, Hanover, Massachusetts, Circa 1815-20. A patriotic tall clock having American shields painted in the spandrel areas. XXSL-36.
This attractive clock was produced by the prolific Quaker clockmaker John Bailey II [1751-1823] of Hanover, Massachusetts. He belonged to a renowned family of skilled, innovative clockmakers credited with training most clockmakers in Southeastern Massachusetts. High-quality construction and superb wood selections are used throughout the case's design. The clock is fitted with a Boston-made dial decorated with patriotic shields.
The formal case was made in Southeastern Massachusetts. It features delicately scrolling fretwork set between three reeded chimneys, each with period brass finials. The finials have a fluted ball below a spire with wafer tiers. This fretwork rests on an arched molding above a glazed tombstone and mahogany cross-banded dial door. The door is flanked by reeded columns with fluted brass capitals and bases. The sides of the clock hood have tombstone-form glazed windows.
The dial door opens to a beautifully painted dial of Boston manufacture in pristine original condition. During this period, Boston was a center for dial manufacturing. Boston dials are known for their high quality and regional style and were used by clockmakers throughout the United States. This dial features a painted moon-phase disk in the lunette, decorated with hand-painted scenes. These include a pastoral view of a thatched-roof home on a hill and a sailing ship setting out to sea. Both moons are colorfully painted with inquisitive expressions and bright red cheeks. At the base of the lunette are two hemispheres, each decorated with terrestrial map transfers. The clock face is framed with four painted corner spandrels shaped as patriotic American shields. The clock face has gilt piping on either side of the time ring. It is formatted with Arabic five-minute markers, separated from the Roman-style hour numerals by a dotted minute ring. Inside the time ring are displays for the month and the subsidiary seconds dial. This dial is also signed by the clockmaker at this location. The signature has worn away but can be read under good light. It is signed “John Bailey / HANOVER, Mass.” The word “Mass” indicates Bailey produced this clock for retail in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern markets. John Bailey had active trade with Virginia and North Carolina during the first quarter of the 19th century. He frequently traveled to North Carolina and set up temporary shops to repair and sell clocks. The center arbor is fitted with the original, distinctive cut steel hands. The dial also has a second’s bit above the center arbor.
The brass movement has recently been serviced and is in good running order with an eight-day duration. It is fitted with an original steel-shaft pendulum, a brass-capped lead bob, and a pair of tin-can weights. The movement rests on a wooden “saddle board” and is original to the case.
The hood transitions into the very narrow waist section with a flared throat molding above a hinged waist door. The door is flanked by reeded quarter columns with fluted brass capitals and bases. The hinged pendulum door has an applied molding around a cross-banded border and a vibrantly figured crotch mahogany panel. The cabinetmaker used dramatically contrasting sapwood in both the cross-banding of this door and the lower base panel. This contrast is emphasized by the deep surface color. The door is fitted with a lock and an inlaid keyhole surround.
The extremely narrow waist section transitions into the exaggerated base section with a flared molding. The rectangular base panel features a cross-banded mahogany border around a rich crotch-grained mahogany veneer panel. The base terminates in a deeply scrolled apron that joins extraordinarily flared tall French feet.
Inventory number XXSL-36.
John Bailey II was born in Hanover, Massachusetts, the son of Colonel John (A shipbuilder) and Ruth Randall Bailey on May 6, 1751. He died there 72 years later, on January 23, 1823. It is thought that he learned clockmaking at a very young age and may have been self-taught. John is responsible for training numerous apprentices, including his younger brothers Calvin and Lebbeus, his son John III, Joseph Gooding, Ezra Kelley, and Hingham's Joshua Wilder. Many of these trained apprentices moved to other towns in southeastern Massachusetts and became well known in their local communities. John was the most prolific maker of the six Baileys in the clock business. In addition, he was a Quaker preacher, an ingenious mechanic, and an instrument maker. Other examples of his work include a surveyor's compass in the Hanover Historical Society's collection. He was also an inventor and received a patent for a steam-operated roasting jack. This device was designed to turn the meat over a fire to cook it more evenly.
John's clocks are roughly divided into two categories. The first is a home-developed style. These examples often have sheet brass dials engraved and silver-washed. Several examples of movements constructed in wood are known to us. Others are built in brass, and the plates are fully skeletonized. Some of these later clocks incorporate wooden winding drums. It is interesting to note that he made both types of strike trains. We have seen examples he signed that feature a count wheel setup and the more popular rack-and-snail setup. Very few clockmakers used both setups. The cases are typically constructed from indigenous woods, including maple and cherry. These examples have pleasing country proportions and lack the sophistication of the Roxbury school. The 'Roxbury/Boston influence' refers to the design and craftsmanship styles that were popular in these areas at the time. Sometime around 1790, this influence must have played a significant role in John's production. The movements in these examples are more apt to incorporate fully plated movements. In addition, the cases resemble those being turned out by the Willard School to the North. These feature mahogany cases, often decorated with inlays. This second generation of output is much more formal in appearance.
Our collection over the years has included a diverse range of clocks crafted by John Bailey II. From tall case clocks to dwarf clocks, banjo or wall timepieces, and the unique Massachusetts shelf clock form, his versatility as a clockmaker is truly intriguing.
