The Latest New World Record

A Queen Anne Carved and Figured Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Peter Stretch, Philadelphia, Circa 1740

This sale represents a rare opportunity to purchase one of the most important and remarkably preserved early Philadelphia tall-case clocks ever to come on the marketplace. The magnificent case, with its stately proportions and rare blind fretwork carving, houses an elaborate movement, with a silvered dial with Roman chapters, date aperture, a seconds hand and a phases of the moon mechanism. It is the most sophisticated tall-case clock known by Peter Stretch (1670-1746), the talented and influential early Philadelphia clockmaker and pioneer of the famous clockmaking family.

The exceptional case of the present clock, with its sarcophagus top, baroque fretwork carving with unusual dragon motifs, flame finials, fluted colonnettes with Corinthian capitals, and arched door, represents the most fully developed Philadelphia interpretation of the form in the late Queen Anne style. It conforms in design to a popular local pattern and was probably made late in Stretch’s career.

Historically significant Philadelphia tall case clocks of this quality and rarity seldom come on the marketplace. A Rococo style example with a dial signed by Paul Rimbault of London and a case with carving attributed to Bernard and Jugiez was sold in these rooms, Important Americana , January 15, 16, and 18, 2004, sale 7959, lot 666 for $803,200, setting a world record for the form. Another Rococo style example with a movement by Jacob Godshalk and a case labeled by George Pickering was sold in these rooms, Masterpieces from the Time Museum , June 19, 2002, for $532,000. One with a Godshalk movement and a case attributed to the Garvan carver originally owned by John and Elizabeth Bringhurst was sold in these rooms, Highly Important Americana from the Stanley Paul Sax Collection , January 16-17, 1998, sale 7087, lot 519 for $442,500. All reflect the strength in the market for clocks of monumental importance.

For more information about the sale of this clock, click here to go to Sotheby's website.

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