Tall Clock 1810 - 1815

This tall clock was made by Matthew Egerton Jr., a cabinetmaker active in New Brunswick, New Jersey, during the Federal period. During this time, the production of such a clock was a complex process. The clockmaker often relied on the skills of numerous craftsmen, each contributing specialized parts. The cabinetmaker, like Egerton, was responsible for crafting the elegant wooden case. These clocks stood as symbols of wealth and status. Yet, the artistry and craftsmanship often obscured the labor, including enslaved labor, which underpinned the production of raw materials and the construction of these status symbols. Reflecting on the clock, one is invited to consider the concept of 'time' itself as a social construct—how it was measured, controlled, and experienced differently across various social strata. As you stand before it, consider how objects like this tall clock mark not just the hours, but also the complex and often obscured histories of labor and power.