OUTSTANDING WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA CHIPPENDALE FIGURED WALNUT TALL-CASE CLOCK, 8-day brass works, unsigned painted moon-phase dial with seconds and date, hood displaying a broken-arch pediment with carved eight-petal rosettes, four slightly tapered columns, and arched side lights; case waist and base featuring arched stop-fluted quarter columns each displaying six flutes; waist door with finely shaped and notched serpentine top; base with a fielded-panel front; the whole raised on the original ogee-molded bracket feet. Yellow pine main secondary wood, tulip poplar glue blocks. Pendulum and winding key appear to be original, solid iron weights possibly original. Chalk inscriptions on reverse and interior of back boards. Case attributed to the Frye-Martin shops, Winchester, VA. The works possibly by Goldsmith Chandlee of Winchester, VA. Late 18th century. 99" H, 20 1/2" WOA.
Literature: See Wallace Gusler, "The Furniture of Winchester, Virginia," - American Furniture 1997, (Luke Beckerdite ed.), p. 243, figs. 22, 23 for a nearly identical example that is also unsigned.
See Catherine B. Hollan - Virginia Silversmiths, Jewelers, Clock- and Watchmakers, 1607-1860, Their Lives and Marks, pp. 141-6 for a detailed biography of Chandlee.
Provenance: Descended in the William Taylor family of Waterboro, York County, Maine, having belonged to author Helen V. Taylor; stood for many years in the historic James Leavitt House, Waterboro, ME.
Catalogue Note: The details of this clock's journey to Maine has not yet been established. Its outstanding condition would indicate that it has not endured many moves during its existence.
A number of closely related clock cases featuring the arched stop-fluted quarter columns associated with the Frye-Martin shops contain works signed by Goldsmith Chandlee. These include the example in the collection of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley that descended in the Colonel James Wood family of "Glen Burnie" in Winchester and an example that descended in the Bond family of "Lost Stream", Apple Pie Ridge in Frederick Co. In addition to the specimen illustrated by Wallace Gusler (referenced above), several other closely related cases housing unsigned works have been recorded including a newly discovered example that descended in the McLeod family near Middletown, VA.

Excellent condition with the only case replacements being the finials and the proper right-side upper waist molding, small repair to top of pediment central plinth and arched molding above hood door, minimal chips and cracks to case, dial with a small paint flake and several very minor touchups, moderate flaking to moon dial. Working when removed from home.