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Ezra Kelley made this beautiful inlaid mahogany tall case clock in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, circa 1825.
Looking at this clock, one cannot help but notice the extraordinary figured mahogany wood selections, highlighted by light line inlay throughout its case. It also exhibits lovely proportions, from its tall, French cut-out feet with a flowing dropped apron to the beautifully inlaid quarter columns that terminate with decorative brass capitals. Additionally, the base and waist feature tiger maple cross-banding. Even the inside of the waist door is beautifully Vinegar-decorated. All these great features make it a stunning clock.
We have owned two and seen one other tall clock that Ezra Kelley signed as the clockmaker. This example is the best of the three. This example is unique because of the complexity of the inlays and figured mahogany. The combination of the inlay patterns and the case form suggests that Elisa Cushing, Jr. of Hingham, MA, constructed it. A similar clock is pictured in the book "Harbor & Home" on pages 255-256. Cushing lived on Main Street in a house his father built. Elisa's Son Theodore was also a cabinetmaker.
The Boston ornamental artists Nolen and Curtis painted this brilliant iron dial. An urn surrounded by a cornucopia of flowers and a flowing swag is the primary theme in the lunette and the four spandrel areas. The vibrant colors, green, red, and gold, attract attention and the gilt time ring. Subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar display are in traditional locations. This dial has its original script signature across the middle; it reads, "Warranted By Ezra Kelley."
The brass movement is weight-driven and of excellent quality. It runs for eight days and strikes the hour on the hour on a cast iron bell.
Ezra Kelley, clockmaker, watchmaker, and goldsmith, was born a Quaker in Dennis, Massachusetts, on September 26, 1798, and died a Methodist in New Bedford on December 14, 1895. He was expelled from the Society of Friends when he married his wife Nancy Simmons of Hingham in 1823. She was a Methodist. He apprenticed to his cousin Allen Kelley of South Yarmouth and John Bailey Jr. of Hanover, Massachusetts. Ezra and fellow Bailey apprentice Nathaniel Shepherd were business partners who worked together from 1820 through 1823 and from 1833 through 1835. In 1830 Kelley moved to Venezuela for a few years and set up a shop there until he returned in 1833. From 1839 through 1841, he was in business with Stephen Howland as Kelley & Howland, dry goods merchants. In 1850, Ezra worked as a watchmaker at E. Kelley & Son with his son, George. Soon after, he established a business to refine whale oil for watches, clocks, and light machinery in New Bedford. This became a successful enterprise. Tall clocks, shelf clocks, and timepieces are known. He is listed as a clockmaker, watchmaker, and goldsmith.
Dimensions: Height 7' 11", Width 20 1/4", Depth 10"
Inventory 223076
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