Preliminary identification

Chippendale Style Mahogany Grandfather Clock with Moon Phase Dial

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

An elegant Chippendale style mahogany tall case clock featuring a classic broken-pediment swan-neck hood and a decorative moon phase dial. The waist door is adorned with a carved fan or sunburst motif, showcasing the enduring appeal of 18th-century American and English cabinetmaking traditions.

Story

In the late 1800s, a wave of nostalgia swept through homes, sparking a massive Colonial Revival. Families sought grand tall case clocks to anchor their entryways, serving as symbols of stability, heritage, and the steady march of time.

Maker / Origin

While the specific maker is unidentified without examining the movement, manufacturers like Herschede, Colonial Manufacturing Co., and various English workshops specialized in these high-quality revival pieces, utilizing imported German or domestic movements to bring historical designs to life.

Condition & Value

The case appears structurally intact with minor surface wear and scuffs consistent with age. The weights are currently detached and shown at the base; the mechanical functionality of the movement, chime, and moon phase dial is untested.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.