Tall Clock 1750 - 1760

This tall clock was made in Philadelphia in the mid-18th century by John Wood Senior from American black walnut and white cedar, with a brass clock face. The maker worked with the wood’s inherent qualities, in terms of figuring, texture and weight. The cabinet is a tour de force of joinery, with its precisely fitted panels and carved details, while the face is a highly calibrated instrument, made with sophisticated metallurgy. Both aspects required years of training. Wood would have apprenticed for years to achieve this level of skill. Clocks like this one were status symbols, a reflection of the owner’s wealth and taste. But they also represent the rise of industrial capitalism, since precise timekeeping was essential to organizing labor and commerce. So while the clock embodies craft traditions, it also points to a new, more regimented world. Understanding the craftsmanship and context of objects like this lets us reconsider divisions between art, design, and social history.