George G. Brewster, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A wall timepiece or banjo clock. 226110.
Very few clocks are known that are signed by this Portsmouth, New Hampshire clockmaker. The movement on this clock is inscribed “G. G. Brewster, March 1827.”
Simon Willard originated this revolutionary wall clock form. In 1802, he received a patent for what he called an “Improved Timepiece.” Slender, wall-mounted, and mechanically efficient, the design was distinctly American and became one of the most recognizable forms produced by New England clockmakers during the early 19th century.
This finely made example has many of the Boston construction earmarks. It is constructed of mahogany and retains an historic finish. This design includes colorful eglomise tablets fitted in flat mahogany frames, brass side arms, and a cast brass bezel. Behind the bezel is a painted iron dial formatted with Arabic numerals and finely hand-filed iron arrow pointer hands.
Behind the dial, the time-only, weight-driven brass movement is mounted to the backboard with thru-bolts. The head of the case is evenly cut out. The works feature long plates, a T-bridge suspension, step-train gearing, and a recoil escapement. The period lead weight retains a Willard-style duckbill hook. The front plate of this clock is engraved “G. G. Brewster, March 1827.” This is visible under good light.
The painted glass tablets are especially well preserved. The lower allegorical-themed tablet is titled ”Commerce.” At its center is Amphitrite, the Greek goddess and personification of the sea and wife of Poseidon. She is depicted being pulled across the water in a chariot drawn by a pair of hippocampuses. These mythological horses have fish tails. Patriotic drapery rises above her like a sail, reinforcing the composition’s associations with navigation, safe passage, maritime power, and commercial prosperity. The word “Commerce” appears within the pendulum-bob aperture, centered in the scene.
A brass eagle finial, mounted on a mahogany chimney plinth, crowns the case.
This fine example combines the restrained proportions of the Federal period with imagery that speaks directly to early 19th-century New England's maritime economy. Its movement details, well-preserved tablets, and documented association with George G. Brewster give the timepiece a particularly compelling place within the larger story of the Willard school.
The case and finial are approximately 34 inches in length. The case is 10 inches wide and 4 inches deep.
Inventory 226110
George G. Brewster was born in Portsmouth, NH, on April 5, 1797, and died there on July 7, 1872. His career reflects Portsmouth's dynamic economic and technological developments in the early 19th century. Brewster is listed in Paul Foley’s Willard’s Patent Time Pieces as a watchmaker, clockmaker, and dentist working in Portsmouth from 1818 to 1836. The period was marked by the rise of specialized trades and the growth of urban commerce, with Portsmouth serving as a regional hub. In 1826, Brewster advertised the opening of his watch and clock business in the Boardman Building under Franklin Hall on Congress Street, capitalizing on increasing demand for precise timekeeping in maritime and mercantile communities. By 1827, the Portsmouth Directory noted he was constantly supplied with clocks and timepieces, suggesting he was also a retailer. In July 1828, marine chronometers—vital for accurate navigation—were added to his inventory, underscoring the city’s connection to seafaring industries. Brewster’s business later moved to No. 9 Exchange Street, a location closer to the commercial center. In 1831, he partnered with Josiah Willard (1808-1887), a fellow watchmaker and jeweler, forming Brewster & Willard. This partnership typified the era's collaborative spirit among tradesmen. Four years after the partnership ended, Brewster sold his stock and trade to Henry Ham and then transitioned to a full-time career as a dental surgeon, reflecting the increasing professionalization and diversification of skilled trades in the mid-19th century.
Very few clocks by Brewster are known to survive, highlighting both the rarity and historical value of his work. The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College preserves one timepiece, gifted by Cynthia N. Travers and Bruce H. Nichols in memory of Hinsdale Smith Jr. This artifact represents the craftsmanship and technological skill of New England clockmakers in the early 19th century. A watchpaper is also housed in the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a second watchpaper is held by the New Hampshire Historical Society. These remnants offer valuable insight into the period's material culture and commercial practices.
