WINTERTHUR.- Winterthur Museum announced that the institution bought at auction a rare masterpiece of American craftsmanship—a monumental Queen Anne tall clock (1738-1746) with works by the most sought-after clockmaker of colonial Philadelphia, Peter Stretch (1670-1746). The nine-foot high clock is part of the Jeffords collection of American furniture auctioned in a two-day sale at Sotheby’s New York.

“This is without question the most important acquisition Winterthur has purchased since the death of our founder, Henry Francis du Pont,” said Leslie Greene Bowman, Director and Chief Executive Officer. “When our trustees, curators, conservators, and clock enthusiasts examined the clock and considered its impressive size, unique design and ornament, and superior-quality wood, they found that it surpassed our highest expectations.”

In addition to complementing the museum’s strong holdings in furniture from colonial Philadelphia, the Jeffords clock has something else in common with many of the masterworks of the Winterthur collection—its provenance includes the legendary antiques dealer Joe Kindig of York, Pa., who sold many items to Henry Francis du Pont.

“We are so grateful to the many donors who made it possible for us to ‘reach for the stars’ in acquiring this clock,” said Bowman. “When we add outstanding pieces such as this to our collection, we perpetuate Henry Francis du Pont’s contribution to American culture and continue his quest to preserve and display the greatest masterworks of American craftsmanship.”

Funds for the clock’s acquisition came from a dedicated fund designated specifically for the purchase of important new collection objects, matched by donations from a number of exceptionally generous benefactors, including members of the Winterthur Board of Trustees, Collectors Circle, the Friends of Winterthur, and the Society of Winterthur Fellows.

The clock is expected to be on display at Winterthur by the end of 2004.

Winterthur also acquired a unique American Silver punch bowl at the auction. Engraved with six contemporary coats of arms, the circa 1740 bowl was made by one of Boston’s great early silversmiths, John Burt (1692/3-1745/6). “Not only is this lovely bowl a capstone object for one of the best and largest public collections of American silver in the country,” said Donald L. Fennimore, senior curator of metals. “But it also offers an intriguing mystery with regard to the social relationship between the six men whose names are engraved on it.”

“This is a great day for Winterthur,” said Bowman. “The purchase of this magnificent clock and this lovely and singular punch bowl reinforces Winterthur’s preeminence as the foremost museum of American decorative arts and fills a significant void in our collection.”

Winterthur, An American Country Estate—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of 85,000 American antiques; a glorious garden and natural landscape; and a library that is a research center for the study of American art and material culture—offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year. USA Today recently named Winterthur as one of America’s “10 great places of historic proportions.”