Tall Case Clock

Clockmaker Joseph White, London, England, c.1760,
Cabinetmaker John Shaw, Annapolis, Maryland, c. 1797
Medium: Mahogany; Tulip Poplar; Yellow Pine, Brass, Iron

Donated by The Gaillard Family in 2007

The phrase “buying local” has become very popular over the last decade but the concept is not new. Prior to the days of railroads, airlines, and online shopping, options were limited to buying from local tradesmen like cobblers, blacksmiths, and cabinetmakers. While the materials may have been imported, the chances of objects being crafted or sold locally by a neighbor was very high.

Furniture is a prime example of local purchases made here in Annapolis during the 18th century. John Shaw (1745-1829), a cabinetmaker who immigrated from Scotland, was perhaps the most famous in the city’s history. He serves as a prime example of the relationship between the craftsman and the consumer. Shaw arrived in Annapolis in the early 1760’s and by 1772 he had gone into partnership with fellow Scotsman Archibald Chisholm to establish the largest cabinetmaking shop in town. Their shop catered to middle level and elite clientele. Shaw later opened his own shop where he trained skilled apprentices like the Tuck brothers. Shaw’s work reflects clean, elegant lines with restraint. You will notice the same motifs repeated in various examples of his work: the oval inlay, the star, and string lines.

This tall case clock is original to the Hammond-Harwood House and was likely commissioned by either the Chase or Callahan family, ancestors to the Harwoods who lived in the house. The inner workings of the clock were made in 1760 by Joseph White of London and shipped to America. It was typical for cabinetmakers working in America, like Shaw, to produce the cases for imported English clocks. Given the 1760 date of the movement, this clock could have been in an older case that was replaced by Shaw in 1797.

The tall height is unusual for contemporary pieces. The clock stands on delicate French bracket feet and has a scalloped skirt. Notice all the inlay work on this piece, which would have taken quite some time. When Hester Harwood, last private owner of the Hammond-Harwood House, died in 1924, all the contents were sold at auction in 1925. The Gaillard family of Washington, D.C. bought the clock at the auction. The clock then descended through the family and was donated to the museum in 2007.

This week we celebrate the craftsmanship of John Shaw, as his birthday was April 25, 1745– 275 years ago today. Next time you plan a trip to the Hammond-Harwood House Museum we invite you to see our extensive collection of Shaw furniture. We also offer a 90 minute in depth John Shaw Furniture Tour.

By Rachel Lovett, Curator