An Important FEDERAL INLAID AND FIGURED MAHOGANY and BIRCHwood AND BRASS TALL-CASE CLOCK, works by Abel Hutchins, Concord, New Hampshire circa 1810

Fretwork replaced.

Herschel Burt, Exeter, New Hampshire
Joseph R. and Sue H. Keown, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Sotheby's, Important American Furniture and Related Decorative Arts, January 29, 1983, sale no. 5001, lot 432
Marjorie Schorsh, Inc., Connecticut

Secondary wood is white pine. A 13 in. by 4 in. patch to bottom board. Veneer crack to front of base panel filled with a compound and painted to match surrounding surface. proper right foot built up approximately 7/8 inch, proper left front foot built up 3/4 inch, proper right rear foot built up 1 inch. Appears to retain its original weights and pendulum. Central finial plinth and finials possibly replaced.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A nearly identical clockcase with works by Levi Hutchins is in the collection of the Currier Gallery of Art and is illustrated in American Art from the Currier Gallery of Art, (New York: The American Federation of Arts, 1995), no. 43, pp. 106-7.  Abel Hutchins (1763-1853) with his brother Levi (1761-1855) entered into an apprenticeship with Simon Willard in 1777.  Following their apprenticeship they returned home to Concord, New Hampshire and built a successful clock-making business. The brothers dissolved their partnership in 1806 but both remained clockmakers in Concord. Able remained a clockmaker until 1819.

The Currier Gallery of Art's painted clock dial has been attributed to John Ritto Penniman (1782-1841), however there is no documentary evidence to support this.  In the claim's defense, several of Willard clock faces are known to have been painted by Penniman and Willard's apprentices are known to have utilized their master's network of craftsmen.