$16,590
American Wheel Cutting Engine, probably Connecticut, c 1780, the neatly dovetailed chestnut and cherry frame with 15 1/2-in. dia. two-part brass index plate with numerous divisions including 30, 48, 56, 60, 62, 64, 72, 78, 80, 84, 96, 98 and 118 and inner rings with 6, 7, 8 and 10, adjustable cutter frame with wooden handled crank and cutter arbor, ht. 14, lg. 23 in. Note: This tool is discussed and illustrated in Crom #2, pp.664. Connecticut clock makers Daniel Burnap and John Avery used nearly identical machines, see: Penrose Hoopes, Shop Records of Daniel Burnap Clockmaker , pp 148-149 and Philip Zea and Robert C. Cheney, Clock Making in New England 1725-1825 , plate 12, pp 85 for the John Avery machine in the J. Cheney Wells collection at Old Sturbridge Village. A flat spring has been added to "cushion" the cutter frame against the work.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2010-05-01
