Tall Case Astronomical Musical Clock

Object/Artifact

-

Drexel Founding Collection

Name/Title

Tall Case Astronomical Musical Clock

Entry/Object ID

49

Category

Clocks & Watches

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Mrs. George W. Childs, Philadelphia

Notes

Date: 1894 Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. George W. Childs Means of Accession: Gift Source: William James Swain

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

David Rittenhouse

Role

Clockmaker

Artist

John Folwell

Role

Carver

Date made

1765 - 1766

Time Period

18th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

Norriton Township, Montgomery County

State

Pennsylvania

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Engraving

Location

Center of dial

Transcription

One is spatulate lobes of the leaves and the other is straight line shading around the outer edges. Attributed to Benjamin Rittenhouse, brother of David Rittenhouse.

Notes

Signature: Engraved on Dial 4/9/2024 (E. Bartley) : "T Proyor/Chater/Tho Earnshaw" written on chalk on the back of the pendulum door. "Malvin Heller/1900" written in pencil on the left inside of the case. "Jm Futter" or "Jm Rutter" carved onto the right inside of the hood.

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

H, W, D: 112x27 1/2x16 1/2 in overall Dial H, W : 28x19 3/4 in

Material

Mahogany, Oak, brass, Metal, white cedar, Tulip Poplar, Chestnut

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Joseph Potts

Acquisition Date

1765

Disposition Date

1744

Notes/Remarks

(while previously speculated that Potts never accepted the clock, it has since been disproved)

Provenance Detail

Thomas Prior

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Acquisition Date

1774

Disposition Method

Sale

Disposition Date

1801

Notes/Remarks

Passed from Thomas Prior to two unnamed individuals.

Provenance Detail

Benjamin Smith Barton

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Acquisition Date

1813

Disposition Method

Bequest

Disposition Date

1815

Provenance Detail

William James Swain

Acquisition Date

1815

Disposition Method

Sale

Disposition Date

1879

Provenance Detail

George W. Childs

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Acquisition Date

1879

Disposition Method

Bequest

Disposition Date

1894

Notes/Remarks

Bequeathed to Emma Peterson Childs

Provenance Detail

Emma Peterson Childs

Acquisition Date

1894

Disposition Method

Gift/Donation

Disposition Date

1894

Notes/Remarks

gifted to Drexel University likely the same year

Notes

(4/9/2024 E.Bartley) Sourced from Fennimore, Donald and Hohmann III, Frank L., David Rittenhouse Philospher-Mechanick of Colonial Philadelphia and His Famous Clocks, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2023.

Exhibitions

Gateway to the University: The Collections at Drexel
Curator Pick of the Month
250th Exhibition

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Curator Pick of the Month

Label

This is the David Rittenhouse Astronomical Musical Clock with Chinese Chippendale mahogany case, one of The Drexel Collection’s most prized objects. The Philadelphia Astronomical Society published the book by Ron Hoppes titled “The Most Important Clock in America: The David Rittenhouse Astronomical Musical Clock at Drexel University”. Why is this clock so important you might ask? David Rittenhouse was a renowned Pennsylvania astronomer and instrument maker who designed and built the clock in 1773. He was also a friend of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. The clock tells the time, month and day, location of planets, tracks several esoteric astronomical phenomena, and plays 10 different tunes on its chimes. On the top of the clock, there are six tiny planets that orbit the sun (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto had yet to be discovered). It is also outlined with the names of zodiac constellations, and just by looking at the face of the clock you are able to tell where to look for a particular planet that night. The clock is just about in complete original condition. In 1879, we know that George W. Childs purchased the clock, and it was given to Drexel Institute by his widow in 1894. To learn more, watch the video on the clock's restoration and visit the Picture Gallery to see the newly installed interactive about the clock!

General Notes

Note

April, 2022, per Don Fennimore (discussion): Clock case possibly by John Folwell (d. 1780), same as the Penn Orrery. August, 2011 - Based on knowledge of Captain John Green's Clock, the clock case has been attributed to Benjamin Randolph (1737-1792) and carving to John Pollard (1740-1787). November, 2009 - According to the appraisal conducted by Sotheby's using Mr. Leslie Keno and Mr. Erik Gronning the carving of the works is attributed to James Reynolds Made for Joseph Potts of Philadelphia in c.1773. For an unknown reason, he never accepted the clock. In 1774 it belonged to Thomas Prior, member of the Philadelphia Astronomical Society. It then belonged to Benjamin Barton Smith, a nephew of David Rittenhouse. Then it belonged to James Swain, publisher of the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Upon his death in 1879, George W. Childs acquired the clock. His widow gave it to Drexel in 1894. In 2009, the Philadelphia Astonomical Society published the book by Ron Hoppes, The Most Important Clock in America: The David Rittenhouse Astronomical Musical Clock at Drexel University. As per William Macpherson Horner, Jr., The Famous Rittenhouse Orrery Case Made by the Philadelphia Chippendale, John Folwell, Bulletin of the Pennsylvania Museum, Vol. 27, No. 145 (Jan., 1932), pp. 81-90: The case for Drexel's David Rittenhouse clock may have been made by John Folwell (d. 1780) as well. There are definite similarities in the pierced, rocaille broken arch with floral swirls. As per Don Fennimore (Winterthur Curator Emeritus): Rittenhouse clocks and compasses At the time I began my studies in the University of Delaware/Winterthur Program in Early American Culture in 1971, I learned it was universally agreed that David Rittenhouse was the preeminent American clockmaker during the eighteenth century, with many serious students of the subject holding that he was the most accomplished clockmaker ever to practice the craft in this country. From that time, my readings and study of early American horology have confirmed that his reputation not only as a gifted clockmaker but also scientist, astronomer and maker of advanced philosophical instruments extends back to the time he was alive (1732-1796). Since undertaking focused research on the man and his work in 2017 for the purpose of writing a book, I find that the admiration for David Rittenhouse is well deserved. At the same time I have found that his younger brother, Benjamin (1740-1825), also a clockmaker and maker of philosophical instruments, though less celebrated, was also a most capable craftsman. His clocks, timepieces, regulators and surveying compasses are of the highest quality in fit, finish and function.

Note

The current timeline of previous ownership is as follows : Joseph Potts (1742-1804) purchased in 1765/1766 sold in 1774 (while previously speculated that Potts never accepted the clock, it has since been disproved) Thomas Prior/Pryor (died 1801) purchased from Joseph Potts 1774 owned until death 1801 Passed from Thomas Prior to two unnamed individuals. Benjamin Smith Barton (1766-1815) purchased circa 1813 owned until death 1815 William James Swain (1839-1903) acquired 1815 sold 1879 George W. Childs (1829-1894) purchased 1879 owned until death 1894 Emma Peterson Childs (1842-1928) inherited 1894 gifted to Drexel University likely the same year (4/9/2024 E.Bartley) Sourced from Fennimore, Donald and Hohmann III, Frank L., David Rittenhouse Philospher-Mechanick of Colonial Philadelphia and His Famous Clocks, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2023.