Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Pewter basin, part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
High, rounded sides flare out to a flattened rim with rolled edge. Booge appears to be unhammered. Barns struck his large circular mark with an eagle on the inside of bottom. The left portion of the eagle as well as the letters "BAR" on the bottom are discernible, as well as the "HE" above the eagle.
Probably made in Middletown or Wallingford, Connecticut.
Provenance
The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County.
Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
Chinese export bowl of high fired porcelain, polychrome decoration under glaze. Thin walled in nearly hemispherical form sitting on a 3/4" raised foot. Gold-painted rim with red edging. Two goldfish inside bottom. Continuous landscape on exterior is the same repeating Roman or Greek scene of a seated half-robed seated man with dog facing three nude women and seated baby. All set against distant mountains and one tree in foreground.
Glazed soft paste porcelain Gaudy Welsh sugar bowl (A) with lid (B). Handpainted inverted tulips of red and yellow are interspersed with 3 large, dominating deep blue scalloped motifs decorated with copper lustre painted floral decoration. Squat pot-bellied body sits on a low squarish pedestal with scalloped edging. Two molded angular applied handles. Top has round mouth with flared collar extends outward. Domed lid has squarish molded knob finial. Darkened remnant of paper sticker with blurred writing, perhaps "-caster/ --ea set/ --1825."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Bilingual broadside printed on rag paper, advertising Benjamin Schaum's Hardware store on North Queen St., Lancaster. The ad begins in English with a note of thanks to Schaum's customers for their business. Next are lists of items available for purchase, including bar, rod, hoop and sheet iron, steel "Of every Description and Manufacture", glass, paintes, oil, varnishes, stoves, cedar and pewter wares, grindstones, spikes, nail, and brads. There are also illustrations of additional products, including a plane, anvil, and clamp.
The ad is also printed in German in the bottom quarter of the page, and at the very bottom is the printer's name, William Albright, and the location opposite the Market House, Lancaster.
Heavy creases down the center and across the middle. Some tears at various places along the edges, esp. 3" in from the lower left corner, and 2" up from the lower right corner. Apparent transfer of ink from another printed item visible.
Object ID
P.91.02
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Chippendale cabinet on chest, walnut. Cabinet is set back on chest. It has a scroll-top broken arch pediment, carved rosettes, applied central carved shell and three urn finials on fluted plinths. Two arched doors have 10 lights each with exposed hinges. Interior has 3 shelves, each furnished with wood strips for supporting plates. Inset fluted quarter columns flank doors.
Base is a chest of drawers with three small ones over three long graduated drawers, thumb molded edges, bail type brasses and oval lock escutcheons. Flanked by inset fluted quarter columns. Four ogee bracket feet.
Provenance
Family states this piece made in Ono, Lebanon Co., what was then Lancaster County. There is also the family tradition that it was made by ancestor John Bachman II, which donor Herbert Bachman Weaver states he cannot confirm or deny. Early museum labels seem to support the Ono origin.
Multiple scrapes, gouges and small holes. Two scrapes halfway up right side of cabinet. Top right molding separating from cabinet. Cracks in glass: bottom row, 2nd pane from left; third row up, 2nd pane from right; and bottom right pane of fan. Crack at top center of cabinet (from doors through the shell carving). Key hole escutcheon missing on door. Damage around door hinges. Traces of red paint on top of chest, under cabinet. Dark drip-burn marks down center of chest. Wood losses at top corners of long drawers. Back is unfinished.
Object ID
G.79.102.1
Place of Origin
Ono, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of Herbert B. Weaver in memory of his father Isaac Hoover Weaver, Heritage Center Collection
One of a pair of push-up candlesticks: G99.40.1&.2. Stepped, round base supports a hollow cylindrical shaft topped by a candle cup above a decorative ring. Candlestick shaft is fitted with an inner cylinder with attached knob that raises and lowers candle. Thumb screw knob slides via a slot on side of candlestick and screws tight to secure position.
Printed document is a naturalization certificate infilled for "Jacob Dickart" (sic), a prolific gunmaker of Lancaster. Printed on now-brown laid paper, it is a printed form for naturalizing foreigners who did not swear oaths. Now mounted in a modern black frame.
The certificate was designed for non-Quakers who had resided in the Commonwealth for seven years and who had never taken an oath of allegiance to King George II because of conscience, eg. Mennonites, Moravians & other sectarians who believe the Bible prohibits the swearing of oaths. Although Jacob is believed to have been raised in a Lutheran home, he later followed the Moravian faith.
Edward Shippen, Jr., Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the Province of PA filled out this form for Dickert, who appeared before Judges William Atlin, William Coleman, and Alexander Stedman, in Phila. on Sept 24, 1765. An embossed seal is created out of a small square of paper and affixed to the upper left corner of the document.
HJ Kauffman notes that Dickert was born in Mainz, Germany in 1740, came to America with his parents in 1748. Family settled in Berks Co. and later, son Jacob moved to Lancaster in 1756, where he likely apprenticed with the gunmaker Matthias Roessor (as did Wm. Henry). Dickert worked c. 1760-1820. In 1764, he married Johanetta Hofer of York, PA, and the following year he travelled to Phila. to obtain this document. Kauffman states he was active in the Moravian church.
He died 1822.
See G90.7.1 file on Dickert rifle with family info. Transparency of a document with
General signs of age: soiling, minor foxing, dog eared corners with some minor losses. Fold line 3" from top, small holes along bottom. There is a backing of acidic paper which is attached with adhesive.
Mounted in a modern black frame by Lancaster Galleries for 2006 exhibit.
Walnut side chair, wainscoat type, frame construction with pinned mortise and tenon joints. Shaped crest rail secured with one pin. Baluster-shaped center splat secured with a double pinned mortise and tenon joint and rests on rail above seat level; rail has molded lower edge. Rail at seat back is raisedabove seat level & has same molding as above rail. Plank seat (replaced) of two boards is pinned to chair rails. Bottom edges of all 4 chair rails have molded lower edge. Front legs are baluster-shaped; back legs are square, although they taper in thickness from seat level to top. Back legs also have a backcut front face from stretcher to floor, and curve back. Box stretchers have the same molding as rails above, but are molded on both upper and lower edges.
Probably Lancaster Boro
Provenance
Probably owned by Anthony Schneider (1725-1774) due to the belief that this chair was in his inventory after death. His 1774 Inventory lists a set of 4 walnut chairs. At his death he was living on the site of the Kirk Johnson Building on W. King Street. Anthony Schneider was the father of Gov. Simon Snyder(1759-1819) who was born in Lancaster Borough.
Chair descended through the Fisher and Mertz families. Chair believed to have been purchased by antiques dealer Dick Jones of Muncy, PA, at the "Fisher family sale" at the Isle of Que (section of Selinsgrove), circa mid-1960s. Purchased by restorer Peter Deen, who replaced the seat. Deen sold to Vonnie Haynes, a "minor dealer & major character in Adamstown" who sold it to Neil Kamil, then to museum. (See letter of 18 Apr 1991 from N. Kamil in file.)
Moderate wear overall. Front stretcher very worn. Previous chair owner and furniture conservator, Peter Deen, of Nottingham, PA, replaced seat. Metal corner braces & screws removed. Scratches on left chair rail.
Object ID
P.92.01
Notes
Patricia J. Keller states "a similar side chair is in a private collection outside Pittsburgh, PA, and another is in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (#'28-10-99, see photo in file).
Peter Seibert notes this chair relates closely to the furniture made in rural northern England during the 1600s and 1700s. It combines elements of different styles, William & Mary and Queen Anne.
Gov. Simon Snyder (1759-1819) served three terms from Dec. 20, 1808 - Dec. 16, 1817 as the first of many Penna. German governors of Pennsylvania. After his election of 1808, he was reelected a few years later by a landslide.
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Upholstered wingback commode chair has four turned Sheraton legs. Has replacement of original soiled handsewn homespun linen (remnants in this file), now an orange fabric with potted and vining flower design. Solid pinewood seat under cushion has center hole with fitted removable wooden disc.
This chair was from the Pownall home at Gap, where it was used by Dickinson Gorsuch, Maryland slaveholder, during his recovery from wounds sustained during the Christiana Riot of Sept. 11, 1851. His father and two others were killed during the skirmish at the home of freedman William Parker, and Dickinson was transported to the Pownall home for recovery. William Parker later published his story in the "Atlantic Monthly" in 1866, making it highly publicized.
This incident "is an important example of the struggle over the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and the escalating tension between the North and the South. This act gave slave owners broad powers to recapture runaway slaves". (ExplorePAhistory.com)
Polaroid photos of chair before re-upholstery, in file.
Likely Lancaster or Chester Co.
Provenance
Provenance: Chair owned by the Pownall family & given in 1973 to the Lancaster County Historical Society by Mrs. Levi Pownall of Lancashire Hall (569-7279).
It was initially loaned to the Heritage Center (# L.77.9 and # 161.64.80) but soon donated to HCLC. Board minutes of Dec. 8, 1975 include Richard F. Smith's Museum Committee report noting a donation of a "Sheraton armed wing chair commode, used by the Pownall home in nursing Dickinson Gorsuch following Christiana Riot in 1851." Later unsigned note (Bruce Shoemaker?) states John Aungst of LCHS was consulted & chair was removed 11/9/84 from list on LCHS loan form, settling an apparent question of ownership.
Pewter chalice, part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
High straight-sided flaring cup on a stem wih knop created by joining two pewter salt stems. A tankard lid is used for the base. Both the knop and edge of base are beaded. Attributed to William Will (working 1764-1798) .
Engraved on the side of the cup are the initials "HIA/ MWM" within a decorative wreath with bow. Engraved on the bottom of the base is "1799", likely indicating the year the chalice was presented to the church for ceremonial use. Segments of wrigglework are also found nearby.
Provenance
The engraved date of 1799 likely signifies the year the chalice was presented to the church. The two sets of initials on the cup are certainly the individuals who presented it. The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County
Hepplewhite blanket chest of walnut with dovetail construction. Hinged lid with centered inlaid eagle in flight and applied molding on three sides. Eagle is heavy in form, without shields, banners or stars. Front and sides undecorated except for hollow corner rectanglular cartouches of string inlay; one on each side and two on front.
Two drawers below the mid-line molding have the same inlay rectangles as well as bail handles and oval lock escutcheons. The left drawer has a "1" on the bottom in red chalk and an illegible pencil inscription. The right drawer has a "2" in the same place and in red chalk. Applied base molding and supported by French feet.
Cannot open chest due to missing key. John Snyder reports that "Fianna Bitzer" is written on the inside of the chest lid. She was born in 1861, the daughter of Martin and Annie Royer Bitzer of Ephrata Twp. Although Bitzer was a later owner, Snyder believes that the chest was originally in the Bitzer or Royer families.
Note: John Snyder states that there is a small group of Lancaster County chests and a desk with eagle inlays like this one. This is the best documented piece of the group.
Northern Lancaster County, likely Ephrata area
Provenance
Chest was purchased by John Snyder from Greg Kramer at the York Antiques Show in May 1993. Kramer had just purchased it at Alderfer Auction Co. May 20, 1993. Snyder then sold it to his mother Evelyn Snyder who donated it to the museum.
Has significant cracks, especially on front side where a midline crack extends entire length of chest. Front has inlay losses; in unstable condition; reglued in Jan. 1996 by Clifford Clayton, as well as repair to damaged feet. Dark stains and marring on lid with molding loss at front right. Water spots and worn finiah across lower section of front and feet. Strong wear overall. Old refinishing. Hardware appears to be replaced. No key for opening chest.
On 10/11, discovered extreme detaching of proper right front foot, partially on front left foot and minimally on back left. Reseated all nails but replaced one short rose-head nail at front section of proper right foot w/ modern box nail. It will not penetrate farther, however, and is not properly seated) Old nail placed in envelope in drawer.
Object ID
G.94.19.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Evelyn R.G. Snyder, Heritage Center Collection
30-hour clockworks installed into a built-in walnut corner cupboard with softwood interior painted white. Constructed in two parts: Upper section has an upper section of 3 doors, glazed central dial door flanked by two blind doors. Below are three glazed doors, central pendulum door flanked by two doors leading to shelves. Base section of cupboard has central false door flanked by two blind doors. Recent addition of brass lock escutcheons on all but dial door. Clock dial is white with paint decoration; calendar wheel; signed "John Hoff/ LANCASTER." Cupboard was built into home of Daniel Zittle/Sittle (1773-1855) of Lampeter Square and removed about 1887 by later owner Dr. J. Henry Musser. Plywood backing added then.
Clockworks by John Hoff (1776-1818), Lancaster Borough, and cubboard by an unknown joiner in the vicinity of Lampeter Square.
Provenance
From Daniel Zittle to son Cyrus Zittle who sold property in 1887 to Dr. J. Henry Musser (b. 1845 in Lampeter), where he practiced medicine1866-1916. Dr. Musser removed the clock to his Lampeter residence. Then removed to son William M. Musser's Lampeter home in 1923. Then given to his son (donor) in 1952 for his home at 1768 Rockvale Rd., Lancaster, PA. Then moved to home of donor's son William M. Musser, III at 1525 Mission Dr., Lancaster, PA. Finally gifted to Heritage Center May 26, 1994.
Fewer than six cupboards with centrally positioned clockworks are known. John Hoff's account book has an August 19, 1812 entry noting the sale of an alarm clock with 12" dial to Daniel Sittle of Lampeter Square, to be done in 2 months. Later entry notes "Took the Clock away Nov. 28, 1812"
Clock functions, minute hand partially broken and hour hand bent. Cupboard has old crazed finish, not original. Cornice molding replaced at right corner; side pieces of molding missing at mid-line; nail holes and damaged areas at lower sides and bottom edges where attached to floor and walls. Holes and indentations remain where missing latches were attached at four lower and middle doors. Mullions removed on glazed doors. Waist section gouged out at sides to allow pendulum room to swing.
Object ID
G.94.10.1
Credit
Gift of William Musser in memory of Dr. J. Henry Musser, Heritage Center Collection
Tall case clock, Chippendale case with eight-day movement. Dial is painted white with rose spandrels, moon wheel, and is signed very faintly, "Peter Spycker/ Williamsburg." John Peter Spyck(h)er's clocks are rare.
Walnut case with poplar backboards is highly carved. Three flame finials rest on reeded plinths atop scroll pediment with dentils and 12-point rosettes. Tympanum is relief-carved with a central flower flanked by vining. Waist and base have vine-carved quarter columns with smooth lamb's tongues. Arched waist door accented by a deeply incised shell carving near top. Base has raised base panel with corner volutes and central shell. Ogee replacement feet.
Made by Peter Spycker (1756?-1830). Case attributed to Peter or John Rank or Daniel Arndt.
Jonestown (formerly Williamsburg), PA (almost certainly)
See Notes
Provenance
1783-1883 White Horse Tavern near Jonestown; 1883-1914 Bross family of Brosstown (near Rt 72 & 22); 1914-1963 Harry Lesher of Jonestown; 1963-1979 Donald L. Mohn, Jonestown; 1979-1981 William DuPont, Wilmington, DE; 1981 to donor. (Info from Donald L. Mohn)
Jonestown's White Horse Tavern was kept by John Rank (Peter Rank's brother) in the early years of the 19th c. (Clock is based on design sketch from Peter Rank's account book.)
Reported by Carter Harris: a #1 is scratched on front plate of movement and front of seatboard.
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Clock, Tall Case
Material
Wood, Glass, Brass
Height (cm)
256.54
Height (ft)
8.4166666667
Height (in)
101
Width (cm)
61.595
Width (ft)
2.0208333333
Width (in)
24.25
Depth (cm)
29.5275
Depth (ft)
0.96875
Depth (in)
11.625
Condition Notes
Flame finials replaced recently (copied from similar Heinselman clock at York Bank in York); ogee feet replace bracket feet which replaced earlier feet; door escutcheon replaced; severe crack in base with loss of wood; dentil molding on front replaced. Movement overhauled by Carter Harris, 1982.
Object ID
G.81.20
Notes
JJ Snyder research (in file) identifies maker as Peter Spycker, Jr., the clockmaker recorded on Tax Lists for Tulpehocken Twp, Berks Co., in 1789 as "Peter Spycker Junr. - Clock Maker". In June 1803, Spycker purchased property in Jonestown(Williamsburg) & he may have rented before this date. An 1829 deed mentions "Peter Spyker of Swatara Twp. in the Co. of Lebanon...Clock Maker..." Williamsburg (Jonestown), when founded about 1761 by William Jones, was part of Lancaster Co., then Dauphin Co. in 1785 and part of Lebanon Co. in 1816.
Snyder states "all major elements of the design of this case are virtually identical to a design sketch for a clock case in the account book of a Jonestown joiner, Peter Rank (1770-1851). This account book is in the Joseph Downs Manuscript and Microfilm Collection of the Winterthur Museum." Snyder also notes that the handwriting of this sketch's label is not Rank's. It is possible that these sketches may have been done by joiner Daniel Arndt, whose name also appears in the manuscript."
See "Jonestown School" in Cooper & Minardi, Paint, Pattern & People, pp. 89-91.
Snyder notes it is likely that this clock case illustrates the closest relationship to a design sketch known for any American Chippendale furniture.
The white dial precludes a date earlier than the 1780s.
Place of Origin
Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Very similar carving to a Heinselman tall case clock in York Bank & Trust Co., York, PA.
Usage
White Horse Tavern, Jonestown
Credit
Gift of Herbert B. Weaver in memory of father Isaac Hoover Weaver (1864-1920), Heritage Center Collection
8-day musical clockworks by Mennonite Christian Eby (c.1768-1803) of Manheim. Housed in a large, inlaid cherry case attributed to Emanuel Dyer. Case is transitional from Chippendale to Federal, although strongly Federal due to inlay of eagle and floral motifs on tympanum, quarter fan inlays and another floral inlay on waist section, and a patera centered on the base within a cartouche of line inlay.
Notes: Weight, key, and various parts located in box on Unit 52, Bottom Shelf.
Hood has side lights, fluted colonettes at sides, swan's neck scrolls terminating in inlaid paterae, three ball and spire finials (spire missing on center finial). Waist and base have fluted quarter columns. French bracket feet.
White-painted iron dial w/ Roman numerals on chapter ring. Seconds use Arabic numerals. Floral spandrels, lunar dial and inscription "C EBY Manheim under XII. Above lunar dial are ten names of tunes played by the musical works. Dial attributed to Reading area due to a dark moon wheel and the 2 hemispheres for the moon phase are identical (per Gary Sullivan). He also notes that brass-clad weights are very unusual, and usually an English practice.
Provenance
Ex Renner (per Gary Sullivan, clock dealer). Later from estate sale of Pauline Heilman of York, PA by Sotheby's July 17, 1982. The buyer, a private client of Citibank, put clock in storage in Florida, then consigned it Christie's where HCLC purchased Jan. 1992.
John and Carol Pyfer paid $800 for Quentin Johnson to repair the clockworks and get it running in 2004. Clock hands have losses (pieces in a box stored in clock bottom), repaired by Johnson. Case refinished (see early photos in file). Scratch on side to left of pendulum door; nicks & scratches at left side vertical member of opening to pendulum. Marred overall. Split at left side of front section of molding under hood. Pieces of string inlay replaced. Proper left back foot loose; proper left front column loose. See Gary Sullivan condition report (loan to Willard House)
Object ID
P.92.02
Notes
Made by Christian Eby (c.1768-1803), working 1792-1803. Case attributed to Emanuel Deyer.
J.J. Snyder notes, "The clock is significant because it is the only known Lancaster Co. eagle-inlaid clock with a musical movement. Musical movements predating 1840 are quite rare, and fewer than eight Lancaster Co. musical clocks prior to 1840 are known to survive. The inlay is unique in the placement of the eagle in the center of the pediment rather than in an oval medallion above the pendulum door and in the use of floral inlay in addition to the eagle. In summary, the Christian Eby clock is a masterpiece of not only regional but also national importance."
Snyder also states "Unquestionably, this is one of the most elegant and sophisticated pieces of Lancaster County Federal furniture now known." He adds "Of all the known Lancaster County eagle-inlaid clock cases, this one alone has floral inlays. In view of the fact that this case must predate Christian Eby's death in 1803, it stands as the earliest known use of the eagle as a patriotic device in Lancaster County furniture."
Snyder also suggests Manheim cabinetmaker Emanuel Dyer (1760-1836) as the probable casemaker. Working for about a half century starting in the early 1780s, Dyer was the leading Manheim cabinetmaker.
Place of Origin
Manheim
Credit
Gift of members and friends of the Heritage Center, Heritage Center Collection
Eight-day tall case clock signed by Daniel Forrer of Lampeter and dated 1814. Clockworks housed in a c. 1760s walnut sarcophagus top case by unknown maker.
Clock has 12" solid brass arched dial, matted dial-plate center, pewter chapter ring and cast brass spandrels. Above center arbor is seconds chapter ring of pewter and below arbor is calendar window. Engraved pewter medallion in arch reads "Daniel Forrer/ Lampeter." Above calendar window is a small plate engraved "1814." (Dial is very similar to one by brother Christian Forrer pictured on page 97 of "Clockmakers of Lancaster Co...").
Sarcophagus bonnet top has 3 urn finials on plinths (corner plinths are plain; center one is fluted). Thin crestboards extend to sides of central finial. Bonnet has 3/4 colonnettes in front and 1/4 in back, all plain & tapered. Arched sidelights.
Body of case is pegged construction w/ front having mitered half-lap joinery at top & through-tenon joints at bottom. Front corners are stop-chamfered between joinery. Tombstone pendulum door (replaced). Cove molding leads to plain base section with chamfered corners. Feet and base moldings replaced (see condition notes). Now rests on reeded board base only.
1814 date plate likely mounted on dial when the Sheraton style details (reeded base, turned feet, urn finials) were added. Changes were evidently prompted by moisture & worm deterioration of original feet & base moldings.
Clock has winding key and door key (in clock key box). See NOTES.
Clockmakers of Lancaster County and Their Clocks by S.B.C. Wood, Jr., S. Kramer, & J.J. Snyder, 1977, pp. 19, 97.
Mennonite Arts by Clarke Hess, 2002, p. 80 (nearly identical Christian Forrer dial).
Photocopies of Warfel documents & previous contacts (in file). MESDA has photo of a c.1770 clock w/ "D.Forrer/ FrdkTown."
Height (cm)
238.76
Height (ft)
7.8333333333
Height (in)
94
Width (cm)
53.975
Width (ft)
1.7708333333
Width (in)
21.25
Depth (cm)
30.48
Depth (ft)
1
Depth (in)
12
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-06-19
Condition Notes
Case refinished & restored with Sheraton feet, reeded base molding & urn finials. Pendulum door & hardware are replaced. Bonnet door loose from "hinge" column at top (nail failing). Multiple gouges, chips & scratches. Heavy loss at left front corner of bonnet cornice. Pieced-out repair at back edge of left side of waist. Backboard at bottom shows significant rot & worm damage, explaining the replaced base that now is reeded-edge boards to which turned Sheraton feet were nailed (now removed). On seatboard of works is old sticker of Joseph R. Bates, clock restoration in Vermont. In 1968, he performed "complete restoration & overhaul including extensive repairs" to clockworks & resilvering of dial.
Object ID
G.08.16.1
Notes
Swiss-born brothers Daniel & Christian Forrer both apprenticed w/ same clockmaker in the Jura region of Switz., following their father's death, then emigrated to America with their sister in 1754, settling in Lampeter where they each made clocks. It is claimed there were clocks jointly signed "C & D Forrer", denoting a partnership. Clarke Hess notes that Daniel sold his Lampeter Twp. lands to his brother in 1762 at which time he likely moved to Frederick, Maryland.
Ed LaFond believes there may be about a dozen clocks by Christian but only two clocks by Daniel were previously known, both privately owned and one signed Fredericktown. Ed believes Forrer eventually ended up in Virginia.
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
Eight-day tall case clock w/ cherry case & walnut inlay. White-painted arched dial has Arabic numerals, sweep seconds and calendar hands, exceptionally well painted dial w/ fan-decorated spandrels & rare rope-like border on chapter ring. Signed "Martin Shreiner" over "No. 182". Clock expert Gary Sullivan says dial was made by Samuel Curtis & Knowles of Boston who later operated out of Philadelphia (see Notes).
Bonnet has four free-standing corner columns, broken arch pediment with inlaid fylfot rosettes at terminals and three urn finials (likely replacements) on tall plinths and a central keystone medallion at the tympanum.
Above rectangular thumbnail molded waist door with hollow top corners is an inlaid eagle within an inlaid walnut oval within multi-line inlay. Eagle has wax-infilled shield and banner in his beak that reads, "Bluribus Unum," (without the initial "E" and Pluribus misspelled). Large inlaid oval on door and brass steeple butt hinges on door. Quarter columns have reeded chamfers which extend only 3/4 of the way up, terminating in lambs tongues.
Facade of base is veneered with mitered corners surrounding a large inlaid square with fan corners. At bottom is horizontal double line of string inlay. There is a drop apron and four French feet. The weights, winding key and door lock & key are not original.
Notes: J.J. Snyder has studied eagle inlaid clock cases and notes in 12/5/96 letter to HC Director, "It is virtually certain that the workshop of Emanuel Deyer of Manheim was the source of many of these..." In 12/15/96 letter he notes that two eagle types were used - symmetrical & asymmetrical, as on this clock.
Stacy Wood's 1995 article on Martin Shreiner notes on p. 580 that a Shreiner clockworks numbered #180 is dated 1815. Thus, we can safely say that this clock - #182 - would be dated about the same year.
Lancaster Borough (clockworks) and probably Manheim (case)
Provenance
Donor is great, great, great-grandson of Shreiner. Clock descended through the Cochran family to him.
Case cracked in many places, e.g.across eagle & cove molding above base. Heavily refinished. Urn finials likely replaced. Infill at cracks and separated joints. Strip added to left side of door opening where door locks, and repair at upper left corner. Wood loss at left hollow corner of door; door lock replaced; one-inch-long gouge in veneer of base at left side of front. Chipped at corners and feet; dents on base front. Dial overpainted at many places.
Object ID
G.96.31.1
Notes
See commentary on clock by John J. Snyder, Jr. in his letter of 5 Dec 1996. He notes the clock has "mediocre surface and finish, many repairs and patches, and questionable urn finials."
In 2015, clock expert Gary Sullivan stated that Shreiner used dials made by Samuel Curtis of Boston (commonly have a paper label on reverse, reading "Curtis Manufactory for Patton & Jones, Phila.) Popularity of tall case clocks lasted longer in PA, so Curtis moved to Phila. Abraham Patton & Samuel C. Jones formed a partnership in 1797 called "Patton, Jones & Co." Changed to "Patton & Jones" in 1798. Parnership failed in 1814 when they could no longer get materials from England due to the War of 1812. Tell tale sign is the banner sign spanning the globes under the moon wheel.
Works made by Martin Shreiner, Sr. (1769-1829). Case attributed to Emanuel Deyer.
Credit
Gift of Paul A. Mueller, Jr., Heritage Center Collection
