This is a fine Federal Massachusetts Wall Timepiece or Banjo Clock. It was made in Concord, Massachusetts by Lemuel Curtis. 217104.
This is a fine Federal Massachusetts timepiece or "Banjo clock" made in Concord, Massachusetts, by Lemuel Curtis. This clock was made circa 1820.
This is a wonderful, crisp, and clean example. The case is constructed in mahogany and features gilt frames that are decorated with rope turnings. The gilding appears to be original and is in excellent condition. Both frames are fitted with reverse-painted tablets. The tablets are original to this clock and remain brightly colored. Both tablets depict a number of patriotic themes. Some of these include an American shield, an American eagle, and a number of flags. The throat tablet is signed "CURTIS" in the red field of the shield depicted here. The bezel is fitted with glass, and the side arms are cast in brass. The bezel opens to access the painted iron dial. This dial features large Arabic-style hour numerals. It is also signed by the Clockmaker. The signature reads, "WARRANTED / BY / L. Curtis." The hands are filed from steel and are considered a signature form of this Maker. They are an exhibition of the Clockmaker's hand skills. These are wonderful. Behind this dial is a brass-geared weight movement that is designed to run for approximately eight days on a full wind. The movement is set in a Concord-style case having a very distinctive cutout in the head. It is mounted to the back of the case with a single screw. The plates are rectangular shaped. The bridge is a butterfly form, and the teeth in the gear train are deeply cut. The pendulum features a Concord-style keystone and a brass-faced bob. The tie-down is also shaped in the form of what one would expect to find in a clock made in Concord. At the top of the case stands a carved wooden finial. Much of the original gilding has been worn away over the years. The artistry in this carving is quite lovely.
This clock measures approximately 33.25 inches long overall.
Inventory number 217104.
Lemuel Curtis was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1790, to Samuel and Sarah (Partridge) Curtis. Sarah had five sisters, and four of them married clockmakers: Abel Hutchins, Elnathan Taber, Aaron Willard, and Samuel Curtis. Lemuel likely learned his craft from Simon Willard, a well-known clockmaker in Roxbury. In December 1811, Lemuel moved to Concord, Massachusetts, and opened his own shop near the courthouse. He advertised that he was working independently at that time. On December 1, 1814, he married Sarah Abbott of Concord. Two years later, on July 12, 1816, he received a patent for the Girandole wall clock. Many consider this decorative clock to be one of America's most beautiful contributions to clockmaking. Its gilded pendulum box was inspired by the round girandole mirrors popular between 1810 and 1830. In 1820, Lemuel partnered with Joseph N. Dunning, and they moved their business to Burlington, Vermont, in 1821. Their shop was at the corner of Church and College Streets in the Thomas Hotel, near the courthouse. They worked together until 1832, making clocks and silver items, and also selling watches, jewelry, and other goods. On May 4, 1832, they announced the end of their partnership. Afterward, Curtis continued in retail, selling items like bonnets, parasols, raisins, molasses, codfish, and mackerel. During the depression of 1837, he mortgaged his property and his pew in the White Meeting House. In 1839, he became an agent for looking glasses and later worked as a jeweler. Lemuel died in New York on June 17, 1857. He is remembered for making girandoles, timepieces, lyre clocks, and shelf clocks.
