RARE CHIPPENDALE FIGURED MAHOGANY TALL-CASE CLOCK, WORK BY JAMES JACKS, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1780

Case of English origin. Dial inscribed James Jacks N York.

Case is of English origin; lacking glass pane in bonnet door; finial replaced; the bottom panel with shrinkage; with very old gilding to Corinthian capitals on bonnet and case.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The high quality of engraving on the silvered dial illustrates James Jacks consummate skill as a clockmaker. Unfortunately few of Jacks clock survive and to our knowledge this is the only surviving New York clock by Jacks.  It appears that Jack initially worked in Jamaica about 1777, then New York, Charleston, South Carolina and eventually Philadelphia; see James W. Gibbs, Dixie Clock Makers, (Gretna, LA: Pelican Pub. Co., 1979), p. 127.  A clock at Brown University has a very similar dial inscribed Lane & Jack Bound brook and may be the collaborative effort of Aaron Lane and James Jacks (see Frank L. Hohmann III, Timeless: Masterpiece American Brass Dial Clocks, (New York: Hohmann Holdings LLC, 2009), pp. 180-1, 345-6, no. 37).