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William Crane made this gorgeous mahogany tall case clock in Canton, Massachusetts, circa 1815.
The case features outstanding proportions, beautiful flared French feet, and a flowing, dropped apron. The figured mahogany selected for this case has a spectacular grain pattern. The base features a veneered front panel framed with a cross-banded mahogany border. Its waist door exhibits a unique reeded molding that trims the perimeter. The clock's bonnet displays three capped fluted finial plinths supporting a decorative pierced open fretwork surmounted by three fancy brass finials.
This dial was produced in Birmingham, England, and was painted by the Wilson firm. It shows vibrant florals in each corner, and a lunar calendar visually displays the moon's phases throughout its twenty-nine and one-half-day cycles in the dial's lunette. Below, the painted hemispheres remain vivid and in excellent condition. An original script-style signature is below the calendar aperture; it reads, "Wm Crane."
During the same time period that William Crane made this clock, American patriot Paul Revere built the nation's first copper rolling mill in Canton in 1801. William Crane and Paul Revere, brass founders in Canton, undoubtedly knew of each other. Paul Revere partnered with his son, who worked in Boston. Revere's copper company rolled copper for the hull of the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), the dome of the Massachusetts State House, and the boilers of Robert Fulton's steamships. Revere also made cannons and steeple bells.
William Crane was a clockmaker and brass founder in Canton, Massachusetts, from 1770 to 1820. He was the father of clockmaker and gunsmith Simeon Crane. Canton was home to clockmakers, brass founders, and gunsmiths Elijah and Henry Morse, who married William's two daughters, Hannah and Lucy. The Morse brothers likely apprenticed to William Crane.
Dimensions: Height 7'9" Width 18 3/4 Depth 11 1/2"
Inventory 222030
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