Clock, Tall Case
tall clock
Copyright: Russell Buskirk
Name/Title
Clock, Tall CaseEntry/Object ID
72.4.1Description
Joshua Lockwood (English-born, 1729-1809), retailer and clockmaker Tall clock Assembled in Charleston with English case and works ca. 1770 Mahogany case with gilt and silvered brass, steel and glass Engraved on face: Josha Lockwood Charles Town Joshua Lockwood (English-born, 1729-1809), retailer and clockmaker Tall clock Assembled in Charleston with English case and works, ca. 1770 Mahogany case with gilt and silvered brass, steel and glass H. 100 1/2 x W. 20 3/4 x D. 9 3/4 inches (without finials) Engraved on face: Josha Lockwood Charles Town Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC, collection purchase, 72.4.1 Lockwood watch2.jpg; Lockwood watch.jpg Joshua Lockwood (English-born, 1729-1809), retailer and watchmaker; John Wright (English, registered 22 Oct. 1761), casemaker Pocket watch London, England and Charleston, SC, 1764/1765 English sterling silver, enamel, steel, crystal and gilt brass Diam. 2, D. 2 1/2 inches Signed on enamel face: Lockwood; engraved on bottom plate: Josa Lockwood Charles town 2402; stamped outer case and hinged dust cap: lion passant, crowned leopard's head, date letter and incised IW Lent by a private collector Conservation sponsored by The Brass & Silver Workshop and The Silver Vault of Charleston Joshua Lockwood was one of the most prolific clock and watch makers in colonial America. Arriving in Charleston about 1757, he announced that he was "from London" and declared, "he intends to follow the art or calling of watch and clock making, mending, and repairing." The variety and volume of goods that Lockwood advertised set him apart from his competitors. In addition to clocks and watches, he sold silverware, jewelry, glassware, textiles and sundry other luxury goods. He also specialized in novelty timepieces, some of which he designed and made himself. Scholars have asserted that he imported his clockworks wholly assembled and even engraved in advance; however, he clearly advertises that he made, imported and assembled clocks and watches in his workshop, employing several other skilled workers, including silversmith Arthur Downes. He offered a variety of silversmithing services in his workshop. The majority of surviving Charleston tall clocks and bracket clocks are engraved with Joshua Lockwood's name or that of his apprentice and brother-in-law, William Lee. Like this example, the cases are relatively uniform and in a style that was popular in England beginning in the 1740s. Lockwood's known clock cases were imported from London and not a single American-made case with his clockworks has yet to be documented. However, we know that local cabinetmakers made clock cases, and Lockwood had a long-standing relationship with Thomas Elfe, who made or mended clock cases, knife boxes, drawers, work benches and showcases for Lockwood. This evidence sheds doubt on the assumption that he only imported completely assembled clockworks with their cases from abroad. BSC and CC Tall case clock, works and case made in England, marked Joshua Lockwood- Charles Town, mahogany, circa 1770. Contains brass ring face and full Roman numerals. Cast hour, minute and second hands, the latter with separate brass ring with Arabic numerals. Gilt applied decoration in four corners. Crescent brass bar engraved: Joshua Lockwood Charles Town. "High Water on the Bar" engraved below brass crescent in arch with Arabic numerals and metal wheel with painted stars in arch. Case with arch mold hood and pyrmidical head with three brass finials. Two mahogany free-standing columns with brass bases and capitals with brass stop fluting. Mahogany. quarter columns at back. Vertical rectangular panels on each side with hood. Arched glazed door. Case with arched door with molded sides, two brass butt hinges and replacement copper key surround. Base with central front panel and toe molding.Collection
Historic Charleston Foundation CollectionAcquisition
Accession
72.4.Source or Donor
Paine, Mr. R. P.; Joshua Lockwood, clockmaker, Charles Town, ca. 1770; Thomas Gantt, Charleston, b. 1736; by descent toAcquisition Method
PurchasedCredit Line
Purchase by Historic Charleston FoundationMade/Created
Date made
1765 - 1775Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term
Clock, Tall CaseNomenclature Secondary Object Term
Clock, FloorNomenclature Primary Object Term
ClockNomenclature Class
Timekeeping T&ENomenclature Category
Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & TechnologyOther Name
Tall Case ClockDimensions
Height
94 inLocation
Location
Room
102Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentDate
February 7, 2023Condition
Notes
Replacement brass finials added January 1976. Molding missing from base of glass on left side of hood, at base of arch on glass face. Repair to lower right. hood door. Crack at top of arch. replacement molding to top of pediment. Broken and loose veneer at left and right. of base. Base panel loose. Chip on molding above right base. June 1975- clock made to operate by Herschel Hudson for $150.Exhibitions
10
16