Walnut flat-top tall case clock made by John George Hoff, Sr. Arched iron dial (circa 1770), has pewter attachments, a chapter ring, spandrels and lunette. Attachments probably made by Hoff himself. Roman numerals used with stylized fleur-de-lis half-hour markers.The two hands are wide and stubby, cut from iron sheeting. Asymmetrical winding arbor holes.
Bonnet has tall arched side windows. Plain columns on hood; plain quarter columns on waist and base. Thin molding at bottom of base.
Note: John J. Snyder, Jr. states "This is one of the finest flat-top clock cases from Lancaster County; it is distinguished by its molded platform on the hood, crisp cove molding of the cornice, and narrow waist section." (Clockmakers of Lancaster County, p. 36 and p.113).
Tall case clock with inlaid borders and mitered, figured veneers and string inlays on front surfaces. White dial has paint-decorated spandrels with raised lines of paint. Signed "SOLOMON PARKE / Philadelphia" below center dial and calendar wheel. Roman numerals on painted chapter ring; moon wheel at top.
Bonnet has scroll pediment with "reeded" face on scrolls with small, round rosettes. Three ball and spire finials, center on on keystone outlined with lightwood string inlay. String inlay outlines tympanum. Bonnet door has veneer with lightwood escutcheon inlay. Four free-standing columns.
Chamfered corners on trunk and base with triple lines of vertical lightwood stringing. Figured wood on pendulum door and base panel surrounded by wide string inlay of tiger maple? edged with lighter wood. Straight bracket feet.
Parke worked as a clockmaker in Newtown, Bucks Co. for nearly 10 years before moving to a larger facility in Philadelphia in 1790. He produced clocks under his own name until about 1805 when he changed the signature on his clocks to "Solomon Parke & Son."
Provenance
Typescript page in file states clock was owned by Elmer Ellsworth Hansell (1863-1940) and Amanda Matilda Storch (1874-1966) of Philadelphia, married 1895.
Clock then passed to son Elmer Ellsworth Hansell, Jr. (1903-1974) and wife Virginia Palmer (1907- ? ), married 1935. Elmer Jr. was a civil engineer in Lancaster, working with John H. Wickersham Eng. & Construction Co.
Bottom of interior has broken out board. Some veneer damage with small repairs. Along top of base front are three plugged screw holes.
Object ID
2003.023
Notes
Notes in file state the Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia own a Solomon Parke clock as does Mrs. Chris. Martin (Mary), of Lancaster.
Research by volunteer : Solomon Parke worked in Newtown and Southampton, Bucks County as a clockmaker. He then moved to Philadelphia where he was listed in directories from 1791-1822. At different times he signed his clocks, "Solomon Parke, Philad," "Solomon Parke and Company," and "Solomon Parke and Son." Solomon is believed to be the father of watchmaker Charles B. Solomon. He had a large clock manufactory and employed French, German, and Swiss workers in the assembly of eight day movements.
Eight-day tall case clock of walnut, engraved "Jacob Gorgas / at Ephrata / 1771" on a silvered round cartouche within dial arch. Engraved silvered dial has chapter ring with Roman numerals, interspersed with fleurs-de-lis marking the half hours. Recessed center dial has foliate and floral engraving. Small seconds dial at top has engraved 4-petal flower within raised circular frame. Calendar wheel in aperture at bottom. Six white metal spandrel pieces restored with gold leaf in 1990.
Scroll-pediment case has molded rectangular base panel and molded frames on the side windows of the hood. The thin molding of the scroll pediment and plain roundels which form the rosettes are probably an updating of the case done in the Federal period, about 1790-1810 (per John J. Snyder, Jr., p. 47 of Lancaster Clockmakers book). Central urn finial has double ringed spire. Arched pendulum door has butt hinges and lock escutcheon. Waist section and base both have chamfered corners with lamb's tongues. Ogee bracket feet.
NOTE: Upper section of bonnet was indeed reworked. Cover board is removable, revealing a compartment containing a floor-mounted bell with strike hammer activated by a "pull chain" passing through floor board to clockworks beneath. Leaf spring attached under "floor board" activates strike hammer. Signed underneath lid board is "Repaired by God (?) Zahm / Lancaster May 1887." This is apparently Godfried M. Zahm (1817-1895), a clock and watch maker in Lancaster.
Jacob Gorgas, Sr. (1728-1798)
Provenance
Clock purchased by Irvin Hoffman Nolt, Sr. of Willow Street. He purchased 3 clocks for each of his 3 children. Gorgas clock given to son Irvin H. Nolt, Jr. (b. 1920 m. 1950) circa 1935 (while teenager). When Irvin Jr. moved to Florida in late 1940s, he entrusted the clock to his aunt Mabel H. Nolt (1886-1971) for storage. Mabel forgot Irvin was owner, so willed the clock to LCHS. (Informant: daughter of Irvin Jr., Nancy Nolt of Lancaster).
Case finish restored Nov. 1989 by Clifford Clayton. Restoration of dial parts in March 1990 by (1) chemical removal of the earlier improper silver plate surface by Theo. R. Schwalm and (2) resilvering of dial parts by John D. Metcalfe. Simultaneous restoration of white metal spandrel pieces (6) by gold leaf application by Jean Ankrum of York.
1887 repair of upper bonnet chamber by G. Zahm, involving remounting of the single bell above the movement. Very visible nail has been toe-nailed into top of left side window from the molding above.
Object ID
1971.031
Credit
Bequest of Mabel H. Nolt estate in memory of LeRoy H. Nolt
Tall case clock with Rococo case of curly maple (no other curly maple Chippendale clocks known). Brass eight-day movement uses snail striking with English locking and anchor recoil escapement. White dial has a moon wheel; brass calendar wheel visible through the square aperture above the six, seconds dial below the twelve. Arabic hour numerals. Original steel hands.
The hood bears foliate and vine carving at both front and sides with central heart motif on the tympanum. Graceful scroll pediment with typical Lancaster carved rosettes. Three flame finials appear to be original. Tall, narrow arched side lights. Fluted columns on bonnet, fluted quarter columns on slender waist section, and elaborately scalloped raised panel on base. Arched pendulum door. Ogee bracket feet. Sides of the trunk interior have been heavily gouged out to accommodate the swing of the pendulum. This is unusual, but can also be seen in the corner cupboard with John Hoff clock G.94.10.1.
Attributed to Gottlieb Eberman (1759-1801).
Provenance
John Snyder states clock descended through many generations of the Habecker family of Manor Twp.
Multiple losses to applied vine carvings on hood. Painted dial repainted. Case was poorly refinished. Wear at feet. Replaced moon wheel drive; replaced seatboard for clockworks. Gouged out interior sides for pendulum. Single rosehead nail on left side of interior trunk.
Object ID
1991.999
Notes
See articles by J.J. Snyder, Jr. in the Magazine Antiques for May 1974; May 1975 and May 1984.
Chippendale chest of drawers, primary wood is cherry, three thumb-molded and aligned drawers over two aligned drawers and four graduated drawers, each with brass bat pulls and keyhole escutcheons, flanked by rounded quarter columns over a molded edge base. Ogee bracket feet.
Lancaster, PA c. 1770
Provenance:
Owned by Mathias Gish, Penryn, PA
-Abraham Gish
-Jacob Gish of Bainbridge (built a mill on Conoy Creek)
-John S. Gish of Bainbridge
-Henry B. Gish " "
-H. John Gish " "
Provenance
Owned by immigrant Mathias Gish of Penryn, PA, then to son Abraham Gish (1745 - 1789) who relocated to Bainbridge, W. Donegal Twp. Then to eldest son Jacob Gish (1767 - 1845) who built a mill, to son John S. Gish ( ? - 1889), to son Henry B. Gish (1834 - 1896/7), to son H. John Gish ( ? - 1942). Donor is granddaughter of H. John Gish.
Two of the top three aligned drawers have patches to corners. One of the two sligned drawers has patches to left thumbmolding. The top graduated drawer has center and left corner thumbmolding patched and restored. The second graduated drawer has restorations to thumbmolding and bottom graduated drawer has center and center left thumbmolding restored. Replaced feet. Brasses appear to be original (appraisal)
Object ID
2011.012
Notes
Mill was built by Jacob Gish (1767-1845) on the Conoy Creek near Bainbridge in West Donegal Township. He operated the mill from 1790 until his death in 1845. Jacob also served in the state legislature from 1805-1809 and again in 1824.
Each generation operated the mill on down to H. John Gish, until the early 1940s. The Gish mill was in continuous operation for over 150 years.
Credit
Gift of Barbara Goudarzi in memory of Nancy Hershey Gish.
Eight day tall case clock with works by Isaac Chandlee. White dial has Roman numeral hours, a seconds dial under XII and a date wheel above the VI. Spandrels painted with stylized shells and arch at dial top depicts European bldgs. (a chapel?).
Walnut Chippendale case has unusual features. Scroll pediment has three urn and spire finials (spire sawed off center one), two on plinths at corners and one on a central raised keystone. Keystone and plinths have gouge-decoration in a vertical broken line pattern alternating with solid vertical lines. Four corner columns are scored to resemble flutingTympanum, pendulum door and raised panel on base each have figured grain. Unusual wing-shaped upper corners on pendulum door and base panel. Ogee bracket feet have spurs and sit on pads. Decorative center drop on skirt.
Provenance
Early 19th c. insect-eaten paper with former owner's name is affixed to back of trunk interior: "Octavian/Octavias Feinler Newprovidence(sic)." Additional lines of script damaged. Feinler was a tavern owner. Archives has applications for a tavern license 1835-1838, 1840-1841 and 1843. The 1840 census indicates he was then living in Lancaster City. Charged with assault & battery in 1842. Petitioned a writ of habeas corpus in 1856, claiming he was unjustly imprisoned.
Apparent later descent within the Brown family to donor.
Finish on clock is weathered and soiled, perhaps from storage in an outbuilding, Some areas of base have no finish remaining. Joint separation at left front corner of base. Checks / cracks in pendulum door.
Glass of bonnet door is broken at bottom left corner. Cracks on bonnet sides below windows. Interior bottom broken out / missing, with remaining bent rosehead nails at sides.
Object ID
2010.028
Notes
Clockmaker Benjamin Chandlee Jr. had 4 sons, all of whom would produce clocks. Isaac Chandlee, the youngest, was born in 1760 and began his career in a partnership with his brother Ellis. Ellis most likely made the clock works while Isaac did the finishing. Most of Isaac's clocks (including those made in partnership with Ellis) were probably made between 1792-1804. The Chandlee family also had a reputation for their scientific instruments and several surveying compasses with Isaac's signature are known.
Like his family, Isaac was a Quaker, and is described as "laboring quietly in the moral and religious duties assigned him." (Johnston's History of Cecil county, Maryland, pp.158-9) He never married, but kept house with his aunt, Susannah Folwell. Isaac remained in Nottingham his whole life and died in 1813.
Eight-day, tall case clock by John George Hoff, Sr., in a flat-top Chippendale walnut case.
Brass dial has pewter chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hour and Arabic numerals for the seconds. Separate seconds dial below XII. Pewter spandrels. "George Hoff" engraved at bottom of dial, above a calendar window. Painted moon wheel at top has moon on a field of stars.
Bonnet has molded cornice, arched door and arched side windows. Engaged columns at all four corners. Waist has wide chambered corners with lambequins at top and bottom. Door has arched top and molded edges; brass escutcheon (replaced?); door is hung by two brass steeple butt hinges. Base has plain sides and chamfered corners that match those at waist. Molding above four ogee bracket feet.
J.J. Snyder notes that this clock case with wide chamfers relates to other pieces with the same feature, e.g. G.03.1.1 (Jenkins family bookcase on desk) and P.78.76 (Old family bonnet top high chest). The Hoff clock chamfers, however, are not fluted like the large case pieces.
See photo of clock in Wood and Kramer's clock book, p. 37.
Provenance
Professor Kauffman said on 4-23-99 that he purchased this clock from a dealer after Joe Kindig refused it because it was a flat top. A receipt (now in file) was tacked to inside of clock case documenting the purchase from collector/dealer Melvin Hubley of Lancaster City in 1955 (cost $545).
Modest wear, right side light is cracked, molding missing at right side of waist at bottom. Base is scarred, some cracks, especially aroung feet and moldiing. Unfilled nail repair holes at base.
Finish has orange peel surface.
Object ID
G.96.37.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of Henry J. Kauffman, Heritage Center Collection
Fancy painted Windsor style commode chair. Missing its pot. Unusually tall back, splayed back and sides. Slightly worn green paint with black painted stencils of floral and foliate designs.
Note: Chair moved to Wheatland, Northeast Bedchamber, room interpreted as Harriet's bedchamber (date unknown). 09/08/2022
Paper covered domed lid wooden box. Sheet iron hinges and latch, leather lashes. Interior covered in both English and German language newspapers of Lancaster County
Portable desk with black lacquer finish and gilt Chinoiserie. Interior consists of multiple shelves and storage areas. Main lid folds down revealing reverse "desk" with inset panel of velvet.
Case with black lacquer finish and gilt Chinoiserie. Interior consists of multiple shelfs and storage areas. Top lid opens to reveal two closed compartments surrounding four open compartments. Front doors open to 4 drawers. Three drawers face the front below the doors.
Walnut single-drawer tavern table. Removable three-plank top. Dovetailed drawer. Mortise and tenoned joints throughout the rest of the table. Turned and planed square legs terminating in bun feet. Full stretcher base.
Secretary, or desk and bookcase, Federal style, with extensive inlay, including "1804", flanked by the initials "I M" (or J M) on fall board of desk. Initials likely represent one of John H. A. Bomberger's ancestors/relatives. Made in 3 parts: a cornice and frieze, a slant-front desk with cubby holes and extensive inlay inside and out, and a bookcase with glazed doors using diamond design tracery, centered oval fan inlay and 1/4 fans at all 8 corners of doors. Desk has half fan inlay on skirt, running diamond banding just above and bellflower inlay at face of desk corners.
Henry T. Spangler, a member of the first graduating class from Ursinus, married college president John H. A. Bomberger's daughter Marion. Spangler later became the president of Ursinus, himself. Bomberger was born in Lancaster, graduated from Marshall College in Lancaster (later Franklin & Marshall). The secretary was a Bomberger family piece inherited by daughter Marion who willed it to her daughter "Aunt Doll" who resided at Ursinus until her death. Her brother George (Joel Spangler's grandfather ) inherited the piece and later willed it to Joel.
Provenance
Believed to have descended through John H. A. Bomberger's family of Lancaster County, through his parents or their parents. Documented only from J. H. A Bomberger on. From Bombergers, it descended through the Spangler family.
Finish darkened overall. Large pieces of veneer missing and lifting on skirt. Large veneered oval on fall board has cracks throughout. Two vertical cracks extend up from each side of desk base. Thin molding splitting on bookcase base at back left side. Section of wood with inlay missing at top of bookcase at back of right side.