Rhode Island Furniture Archive - Yale University Art Gallery

Photo: Courtesy CRN Auctions, Inc., Cambridge, Mass. Click the image to enlarge	Shelf clock
	Object number RIF4529
	Maker Casemaker Unknown Clockmaker David Williams, 1769–1823
	Dimensions 41 1/2 � 14 1/2 � 8 1/4 in. (105.41 � 36.83 � 20.96 cm)
	Date 1803
	Current location Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc.
	Geography Made in Newport, Rhode Island (view a map of Rhode Island)
	Medium Mahogany (primary); maple (seat board); pine (backboard, dial surround, blocks for dial surround, and corner blocks in case and on feet)
	Marks "David Williams / NEWPORT � / 1803.," in paint, on dial
	Inscriptions "Bigelow / 1900," in graphite, inside PL side of hood
	Provenance CRN Auctions, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 2001, lot 77. Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc., New York, 2002; private collection, Ohio; consigned by their estate to Christie's, New York, January 21, 2011, lot 108. Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc., New York, 2019
	Associated names CRN Auctions, Inc. Private collection Christie's
	Construction The removable hood is surmounted by open fretwork centering a rectangular plinth supporting a (probably later) cast brass finial. The single-board hood sides are set into grooves in the single-board molded top. Glueblocks reinforce the joints between the dial surround and the hood top and sides. The hinged door has mitered corners and a glazed, beaded opening. The triangular brackets which support the board on which sit the painted dial and works are attached to the single board back with screws through the backboard above, and nails through the front of the brackets below. The plain base with single-board sides and front sits atop a shaped skirt flanked by flaring French feet. The single-board back is glued into rabbets in the case sides and attached with rosehead nails to the case bottom. The feet consist of shaped vertical blocks to which are attached shaped horizontal blocks, the whole faced with mahogany brackets at the front feet and the outside faces of the rear feet. The back of the rear feet are simpler brackets, of slightly differing shapes. Examined by P.E. Kane and J.S. Gordon, January 19, 2011; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.
	Bibliography Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc., Gallery Catalogue (New York: Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc., 1974–2020), vol. 16, p. 22, ill. "Americana and English, including The Sally Larkin Case Connecticut Estate," http://www.crnauctions.com/ (accessed August 31, 2009), lot 77 (May 12, 2001 auction). Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art, English Pottery, Rugs, and Prints, sale cat. (January 21, 2011), 104, lot 108, ill. Patricia E. Kane et al., Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 1650–1830, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2016), 113n48.