Longcase clock
Maker & role
James Oatley (b.1770, d.1839), Clockmaker; Retailer
Production date
circa 1822
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Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 238.5 x W: 58 x D: 27cm (H: 2385 x W: 580 x D: 270mm)
Signature & marks
Movement engraved "Oatley Sydney"; dial engraved "Oatley Sydney" but not numbered and dated as usual with Oatley clocks
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2006
Elizabeth Bay House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Elizabeth Bay House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Longcase clock, c1822
Description
Longcase clock c. 1822 with Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata) case by James Oatley (1770-1839, active in NSW c. 1815-1839). The domed hood has a central glazed door covering the silvered copper dial. The door is flanked by fluted columns with brass capitals and bases. The trunk has fluted quarter-columns with brass tops and bases. The hood, trunk and lower section of the clock are decorated with pine stringing and imported shell inlays, two of which have applied green stain to their surrounds; moulded base rests on four ball feet.
This clock is one of approx. twenty-four signed or attributed by the emancipist, James Oatley, using Sydney-made (rather than imported) mechanisms and distinguished by the quality of the clock cases. The clocks are significant for demonstrating the quality of craftsmanship in early 19th century New South Wales (hence its acquisition by Caroline Simpson). The clock has an important relationship with the turret clock at Hyde Park Barracks, also by Oatley and installed in 1819.
The Oatley clock was acquired for the upper floor of Elizabeth Bay House, where the collection emphasises the Macleays’ furnishing of houses from 1790 onwards and residence in the colony from 1826 onwards. It is likely, given Alexander Macleay’s problems of debt that only the drawing, dining room, entrance hall and saloon at Elizabeth Bay House contained newly acquired furniture when the Macleays took up residence in 1839.
This clock is one of approx. twenty-four signed or attributed by the emancipist, James Oatley, using Sydney-made (rather than imported) mechanisms and distinguished by the quality of the clock cases. The clocks are significant for demonstrating the quality of craftsmanship in early 19th century New South Wales (hence its acquisition by Caroline Simpson). The clock has an important relationship with the turret clock at Hyde Park Barracks, also by Oatley and installed in 1819.
The Oatley clock was acquired for the upper floor of Elizabeth Bay House, where the collection emphasises the Macleays’ furnishing of houses from 1790 onwards and residence in the colony from 1826 onwards. It is likely, given Alexander Macleay’s problems of debt that only the drawing, dining room, entrance hall and saloon at Elizabeth Bay House contained newly acquired furniture when the Macleays took up residence in 1839.
Accession number
EB2007/9-1:6
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