Lemist & Tappan
Shelf Clock
1815-1818
Scroll
Lemist & Tappan
Shelf Clock
1815-1818
Physical Qualities
Mahogany, mahogany veneers; white pine, cherry, and tulip poplar secondary woods; enameled metal face; painted iron dial; reverse painted glass panels; replaced pediment scrolls and brass finial; eight-day movement with recoil escapement, Overall: 32 1/8 x 13 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (81.6 x 33.3 x 14 cm) Wall mount: 6 7/8 x 13 3/8 x 6 1/8 in. (17.5 x 34 x 15.6 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of J. Gilman D'Arcy Paul
Object Number
1972.27.10
Marked "Lemis & Tappan/PhilA," this timepiece records the brief partnership of two Philadelphia clockmakers. City directories record their joint venture at 3 South Third Street from 1819 until Lemist's death in 1820. The reverse glass painted panel's pastoral scene is similar to one on a Massachusetts shelf clock in the BMA collection. Lemis probably learned clock making as an apprentice to Simon Willard in Roxbury, near Boston.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1972; bequest of J. Gilman D'Arcy Paul, Baltimore, Maryland, William King Lemist & William B. Tappan, 1819-1820
There is a March 17, 1967 letter from Billy that Paul, who was active at the BMA for many years, had loaned this clock and the Munroe banjo clock among other things to Hampton and they had a difficult time getting them back. Billy said that there were over 100 objects out on loan.
William King Lemist apprenticed to Simon Willard about 1806 at the age of 15. He was only in business with this Tappan man for two years before he was lost at sea.
The only constant in clock retail is that the person with the name on the piece is the person who sold the piece.
There is a March 17, 1967 letter from Billy that Paul, who was active at the BMA for many years, had loaned this clock and the Munroe banjo clock among other things to Hampton and they had a difficult time getting them back. Billy said that there were over 100 objects out on loan.
William King Lemist apprenticed to Simon Willard about 1806 at the age of 15. He was only in business with this Tappan man for two years before he was lost at sea.
The only constant in clock retail is that the person with the name on the piece is the person who sold the piece.
Miller, Egdar G.. American Antique Furniture: A Book for Amateurs. Vol. II. Baltimore: Lord Baltimore Press, 1937, pp. 1004-1006, no. 2044, ill.
Elder III, William Voss and Jayne E. Stokes. American Furniture 1680-1880: From the Collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art. Baltimore: Museum of Art, 1987, p.123-124, ill. 89.
Inscribed: Stampled "V" on inside of lower rail of bonnet door, front upper edge of baseboard, and third time on inside lower rail of lower painted panel. Scratched on lower left rear plate of work 'E.W. Jr.' probably a repairman.
Markings: Painted on obverse of bonnet "Lemis & Tappan, / Philada"
