Joseph Nye Dunning Timepiece, ca. 1825
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GUEST:
Well, it's a banjo clock that my mother had, and I always liked it because I always really liked clocks. And after my mother passed away, I inherited it from her. It's a real nice clock, we just don't know much about it really.
APPRAISER:
Yeah. It's actually a clock made by Joseph Nye Dunning. Now, Joseph Nye Dunning began his craft in Concord, Massachusetts, along with Lemuel Curtis. And as a clock collector, you probably know that name and probably know both names.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
They worked in the center of Concord producing timepieces like this.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
The name "banjo clock" of course is a later name that they came up with that name because it resembles a banjo. I don't see that resemblance, but in the time they just called them a timepiece. Because anything that is just a ticking clock without a bell is a timepiece. Joseph Nye Dunning migrated, along with Lemuel Curtis, up to Burlington, Vermont. They opened up a jewelry-store-type place where they sold all sorts of things.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
And continued to manufacture clocks, like this timepiece in front of us. This clock's wonderful condition, beautiful mahogany crotch grain through the front. Of course it's a veneer.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
And done for its decorative appeal. Much the same way that they veneered empire furniture at the time. There's no visible signature on this, but it's such a stylistic icon that you really don't need a signature.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
We know from signed examples that he made this type of thing.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
And it was made probably about 1825. And made right up there in Burlington, Vermont.
GUEST:
Vermont, wow.
APPRAISER:
And this one was intended to sit on a mantel. You have any guesses as to what it's worth?
GUEST:
I... I don't know, a couple thousand maybe?
APPRAISER:
Couple thousand?
GUEST:
Yeah, I mean that's just... I really don't know.
APPRAISER:
Well, there have been a couple of these that have appeared in the market recently. I can say with confidence that at auction, this clock today is probably in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.
GUEST:
Oh, wow. (laughing) That is... Wow, that is amazing.
APPRAISER:
It's one of the finest clocks of this type that I've ever seen here at the ROADSHOW.
GUEST:
Wow.
Appraisal Details
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