A Waltham wall timepiece or banjo clock featuring tulip cross-banded frames and a painted scene of the Boston State House. 223061.
This fine Federal Massachusetts Timepiece is commonly called a "Banjo Clock." It was made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, between 1914 and 1922 based on the number 7696 die-stamped on the movement's front plate. This beautiful case form is listed in Waltham Clock catalogs as the model No. 1546 and originally sold for $85.90 in the first quarter of the twentieth century.
This is a colorful example. The case is mahogany and is fitted with a presentation bracket at the bottom of the case and flat frames. The frames are mahogany and are decorated with a cross-banded pattern of tulip wood. The color contrast of the two woods is excellent. These frames are the most desirable of the Waltham offerings. Reverse hand-painted tablets are mounted in the frames. The glasses are very colorful and demonstrate excellent artistic skills. The throat features a traditional theme for this form. The design is intricate and multi-colored. The lower tablet depicts a popular view of the Boston State House. The view is from the vantage point of the pasturelands that are now part of Boston Common. Architect Charles Bulfinch designed the Boston State House. Construction began in 1795 and was completed in 1798. This building was set on top of Beacon Hill on land that John Hancock once owned. In this view, John Hancock's residence is depicted to the left of the State House. Unfortunately, Hancock's home was torn down in 1863.
The dial is made from zinc and is flat. Lastly, the presentation bracket is shorter than those found on later models. This clock was most likely made in 1906.
The brass movement is mounted with diagonal-positioned machined screws. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a wind. The quality is outstanding. It features heavy brass plates decorated with a damascene design, maintaining power and a Geneva stop winding mechanism. The front plate is die-stamped with the serial number "7696" on the left.
The cast eagle finial, sidearms, and bezel are brass. The bezel opens to a painted zinc dial featuring Roman hour numerals and the Retailer's name. The signature reads, "Waltham."
This clock measures approximately 41 inches long overall.
Inventory number 223061.
The various forms of the Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies enjoyed a solid reputation for making quality clocks. It was first established in Waltham, Massachusetts in January of 1897 as the Waltham Clock Company in Waltham, Massachusetts. Their products were excellent quality, first selling primarily hall clocks, shelf clocks and then wall clocks. In 1913 they sold out to the watch making giant Waltham Watch but continued to make clocks under the Waltham Clock name until 1923 when the name was changed to the Waltham Watch and Clock Company. In 1925 the name was again changed, this time to the Waltham Watch Co. It is reported that pendulum clock production ended sometime around 1930.
