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Christian Bixler

Dennis Auction Service promotes Christian Bixler clock in Sept. 29 sale

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Christian Bixler
Christian Bixler tall-case clocks are noted for their artistic dial decorations, which featured garlands of flowers, fruit, cherubs and, in this case, songbirds and a tall ship under sail. It’s also numbered ‘314.’ Dennis Auction Service image

 

STEWARTSVILLE, N.J. – Revolutionary War veteran Christian Bixler of Easton, Pa., was one of America’s most skillful and artful clockmakers for a quarter of a century. He crafted more than 400 tall-case clocks before turning full attention to his career as a silversmith around 1812. One of his celebrated clocks will be sold Friday, Sept. 29, at an auction to be conducted by Dennis Auction Service. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Christian Bixler III was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1763. In his teens he studied to become a clockmaker and a silversmith with his father, Christian Bixler II, and apprenticed with master clockmaker, John Keim. After serving in the Revolutionary War he moved to Easton, where he opened Bixler’s Jewelers in 1785.

The clock offered by Dennis Auction Service is numbered 314 and dates to circa 1795.

 

Christian Bixler
This Christian Bixler tall-case clock, which stands 99.25 in. high, is expected to sell for $6,000-$12,000. Dennis Auction Service image

 

 

The bonnet is adorned with carved rosettes on a broken arch pediment with three turned finials and delicately turned columns. The case has fluted quarter columns, shell carving and a Chippendale-style carved band. It was purchased by the owner’s great grandfather from the Bixler’s store, widely known as America’s oldest jewelers.

The auction will also feature collections of vintage military medals, antique glass steins and miniature trains.

 

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