Aaron Willard Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts. An alarm banjo clock or wall timepiece. 216062.

This is a fine Federal Massachusetts Banjo Clock or Wall Timepiece made by Aaron Willard Jr. of Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1830. This example features an alarm. It is a workingman’s clock.

The case is constructed in mahogany and features half-round mahogany frames.  The half-rounded mahogany frames are fitted with glass panels or tablets. These are painted and decorated from the back and are in excellent original condition. They are decorated with traditional themes. This subject matter was quite popular; we have seen many clocks with similar tablets. The colors are black, gilt or gold leaf and gold paint. The lower tablet depicts an American Eagle with its’ claws clutching olive branches and arrows. The center of the tablet is not decorated. This way, one can view the motion of the pendulum bob through the glass. The throat tablet depicts an urn with a floral vine that runs the length of the glass. Both tablets form a pair.  This case never had sidearms. The dial bezel is also mahogany and is fitted with glass. This opens to access the painted iron dial.  This dial is signed in script by the Maker, “A. Willard Jr / BOSTON.” This signature is in excellent original condition. The time ring is marked out in Roman numerals. One should notice the extra hand. This hand is used to set the alarm. This example features an alarm.

The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The movement is constructed in brass. Four brass pillars secure the brass plates. The gearing is also brass, and the shafts and pinions that support it are hardened steel. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. The pendulum bob is lead and covered with brass. It swings in front of a long rectangular-shaped tie-down. This is die-stamped “A. WILLARD JR. / BOSTON.” This mechanism also features an alarm. This is wound with a key through the front of the dial. The alarm mechanism is incorporated between the movement plates and requires a separate drive weight. This weight is a sliver of lead and is guided through a narrow channel in the throat of the case to the left of the time weight, which is standard size. The alarm strikes a bell mounted above the case. A mahogany plinth supports it and replaces the finial. Overall, the movement is of excellent quality, typical of this Maker. 

This attractive clock measures approximately 31 inches long and was made circa 1830.

Aaron Willard Jr. learned clockmaking from his father, Aaron Willard Senior. In 1823, he took over his father’s business after having a business with Spencer Nolan and later worked on his own. This talented Maker has been recorded making examples of tall cases, banjos, shelf, and tower clocks.

Inventory number 216062.