8-day clock works by George Hoff, Jr. (1788-1822) installed in a curly maple Federal style case signed by either J(acob) Stein/Stine or J(osiah) Shufflebottom (inside waist section). White painted dial signed with maker's name and "Lancaster". Moon wheel above. Scroll pediment has turned roundels and urn finials. Bonnet has applied carving under center finial, free-standing turned columns at front and back, arched side lights and reeded base moldings. Chamfered quarter columns on waist and base. Reeded moldings at top and bottom of waist. Door has shield inlay at lock escutcheon and ghosting from a now-removed metal escutcheon. French bracket feet.
"Hertzler" is etched onto top surface of bonnet top. Signed inside waist: appears to be either Josiah Shufflebottom or Jacob Stein/Stine.
Provenance
Donor states clock was part of the furnishings in the home of her grandparents John B. and Emma (Groff) Hertzler at 131 E. Orange St., Lancaster. Hertzler was a banker at The Lancaster Trust Company in early 20th c..
John J. Snyder states Stine was listed on tax lists 1817-19 and Shufflebottom worked c. 1811-1848. Both were cabinetmakers in Lancaster Borough.
Dial paint is crazed. Base has large cracks on both sides and lifting veneer and crack at front. Dents and other scarring on cove molding at top of base. Small cracks on left side of hood.
Works cleaned and repaired by Paul Warfel, 1980. Glazing in door replaced by curator Bruce Shoemaker, 1983, due to crack.
Object ID
G.77.25.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of Elizabeth H. Nichols in memory of John and Emma Groff Hertzler, Heritage Center Collection
Tall Case Clock, signed "John Hoff / LANCASTER" below center Eight-day musical clock has quarter chime on 4 bells. White dial has Arabic numerals; moon wheel at top; seconds hand and calendar hand, 3 winding arbor holes. Inner plate of clockworks is marked "OSBORNE." Purchased from Hoff in 1810 by John Kendig (1774-1822) of Willow Street.
Restrained scroll pediment and inverted stylized "shell" under center urn finial. Two side urn finials. Two-color roundels in place of rosettes. Veneer on bonnet door and figured veneer on face of pendulum door and base. Chamfered quarter columns. Flared feet and scrolled skirt.
Case attributed to Josiah Shufflebottom.
Provenance
Descent from John Kendig, original owner in Willow Street to son John Herr Kendig, Jr. of Willow Street to daughter Addah/Ada Louisa Kendig (married Franklin Harnish Bare, a watchmaker at Bowman's) of Lancaster City to son Kendig H. Bare of Lancaster to son Howard C. Bare of Lancaster (donor). Similar musical clock at Winterthur (#57.1026) made by George Hoff.
George Hoff, Sr., settled with his wife in Lancaster in 1765, shortly after immingrating to America from Germany. Already trained as a clockmaker, he taught his craft to his three sons who carried on the family business until the mid-1800s. The Hoffs' workshop and home were located at 37-39 West King Street, the site of the Hager parking lot.
