Face and Movement of Tall Case Clock

This clock is signed on the face "James Craig, Williamsburg." It dates to circa 1770 and is the only known clock movement labeled by an artisan in Williamsburg or the surrounding area. Craig probably retailed rather than produced this clock. While his knowledge of metal may have allowed him to craft this movement from imported pre-cast English parts and he did employ a journeyman watch and clockmaker in his shop who should have had the expertise to fabricate such an item, there is no evidence that Craig's shop ever produced clocks nor is there evidence on the clock itself of colonial fabrication. Rather, it was most likely an English movement retailed through Craig's shop. Colonial silversmiths commonly sold British imports in their shops. Learn more at the link below.