A fine wall timepiece or Banjo clock made by the Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts featuring a lake and tower scene. 223200.
This Federal-style Massachusetts wall clock is called an “Improved Timepiece” or “Banjo clock.” The Waltham Clock Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, made this fine example. The movement is signed or die-stamped with the number “5796.” According to Andy Dervan’s research, this serial number suggests that this clock was made between 1906 and 1914.
The brass movement is mounted to the clock with wood screws that attach the back plate to the case. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The quality is outstanding. It features heavy damascene decorated brass plates, finely cut brass gearing, a recoil escapement, maintaining power, and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. Waltham movements are of excellent quality.
The case is constructed in mahogany, featuring flat frames and a carved and shaped mahogany presentation bracket. This design element is fitted with turned wooden balls. The finish remains in excellent condition and accentuates the color of the mahogany wood.
The reverse-painted tablets are hand-painted in excellent colors. The unidentified artist was very talented. The throat panel features a traditional banjo clock theme. The main field of color is a mustard yellow. A red and gilt-decorated frame bordered the gilt urn and florals on a light blue field. The lower tablet features a pastoral scene. A tower and cottage are located on the point. The water reflects the color of the sky. Trees center the view. This scene is framed with a decorative gilt border in a red banding. The outer field is a mustard yellow. Both tablets match and are in excellent original condition.
The cast brass sidearms and bezel have been polished and protected with a light lacquer finish. The bezel is fitted with glass, which protects the dial.
The iron dial is flat and painted with a segmented minute ring and Roman-style hour numerals. This dial is also decorated with an interior gold ring. Arrow pointer hands are used to display the time.
A carved wooden and gilded eagle finial surmounts the top of this case. It is a fitting ornament for this style of clock.
This clock, a piece of living history, measures approximately 43 inches long and was crafted around the year 1910.
Inventory number 223200.
The Waltham Clock and Waltham Watch Companies, in their various forms, have been synonymous with quality timepieces. The Company was first established in Waltham, Massachusetts, in January of 1897 as the Waltham Clock Company. Their products, known for their excellent quality, included hall, shelf, and then wall clocks. In 1913, they merged with the watchmaking giant Waltham Watch, but continued to produce 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 changed again to the Waltham Watch Co. The production of pendulum clocks is reported to have ceased around 1930.
