The quintessential Massachusetts Timepiece of Boston origin. This banjo wall clock is unsigned but attributed to the Roxbury Maker, William Cummens. 214106.
This decorative Federal Massachusetts timepiece or "Banjo clock" was made in Boston circa 1815-1820. This clock was initially signed. Unfortunately, the signature has faded, and only the "Warranted" can be read. We have owned a couple of similar examples that shared the same dial font and arched format as this wording. They were also signed by William Cummens.
This is an attractive example. The case wood is mahogany and retains an older finish. This example features gilded rope frames and a turned acorn finial. The gilded treatment on both frames is consistent. The frames are fitted with colorfully hand-painted tablets. These tablets are original to this clock. The throat tablet features a traditional theme for this form. It is quite intricate in its design. The lower tablet depicts a popular view of the Boston State House.
The Boston State House was designed by Charles Bulfinch and constructed in 1795-1798. It was built on top of Beacon Hill on land that John Hancock once owned. In this view, Hancock's residence is to the left of the State House. Hancock's home was torn down in 1863.
The bezel and side arms are brass. They have been lightly cleaned. The cast brass bezel is fitted with clear glass and opens to a painted iron dial featuring Roman numerals that mark the hours of the day. Remnants of the Clockmaker's signature remain. It is incomplete. The arrow-shaped hands are steel and are wonderfully hand-filed.
The weight-driven movement is very good quality. This movement is constructed in brass and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It features brass plates and a recoil escapement. The pendulum rod is steel, and it supports a brass-covered bob. This fine clock measures approximately 34 inches long overall.
Inventory number 214106.
For more information regarding William Cummens and wall timepieces, please read Paul J. Foley's book, "Willard's Patent Time Pieces."
William Cummens was born in 1768 and died on April 20, 1834, at the age of 66. He worked in Roxbury as a clockmaker as early as 1789. He was trained by Simon Willard, along with Elnathan Taber, Cummens stayed in Roxbury and worked alongside the Willard clockmaking family for many years. Based on the large number of clocks that have survived, they must have had an excellent relationship with one another. In this Roxbury location, Cummens had direct access to the same suppliers, such as case makers and dial painters, that the Willard family used. As a result, his clocks are nearly identical in form. Cummens was one of the first persons authorized by Simon Willard to manufacture the new Willard Patent Timepiece. Over the past 55-plus years of being in the business of buying and selling clocks, we have owned and sold a substantial number of tall case clocks, Massachusetts shelf clocks, and wall timepieces signed by this important clockmaker.
