Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts. This is a handsome, inlaid mahogany case tall clock. CCC-15.

Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts, made this inlaid mahogany cased tall case clock.

This fine Boston-made tall case clock epitomizes the formal "Roxbury" style cases that were so popular in Boston during the late 18th century. This borough of Boston became well known for providing clock cases with high-quality construction, pleasing proportions, brass stop fluting, and choice-figured mahogany. This representative example was produced by Boston's premiere clockmaker, Simon Willard. Simon was a prolific and innovative clockmaker and worked for a period that extended over sixty-five years. He trained many clockmakers that became famous in their own right. He built and sold clocks to some of our country's most prominent citizens.

This is a great-looking inlaid example. The older shellac-based finish highlights the rich figuring exhibited in the mahogany wood. The surface is clean, and the two inlaid paterae light up, attracting one's attention to the clock. The case is nicely proportioned and is elevated on four boldly-formed ogee bracket feet. They are applied to the underside of the double-stepped base molding. The mahogany wood selected for the front panel of the base features an oval-shaped grain pattern. Centered here is an inlaid patera. This oval inlay pattern is constructed with twenty individual fan-shaped petals. These are shaded on one side with heat. When laid out in this pattern, the shading provides visual depth. The waist section of the case features a large rectangular-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with applied molding. A second inlaid patera is centered here. One would open this to access the two drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. Brass-stopped fluted quarter columns flank the sides of the case. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features an open fretwork. This is a traditional Boston design. The three finial plinths are fluted along their length and capped at the top. Each supports a single brass ball and spire finial. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns or colonnettes visually support the upper bonnet molding. These are mounted in brass capitals. The sides of the hood feature glass-fitted tombstone-shaped side lights or windows. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass. This door opens to access the dial.

The very colorful 13-inch painted iron dial was painted in Boston by Spencer Nolen and is prominently signed by the Clockmaker, "S. Willard," in block lettering. The location of the signature is positioned just below the month calendar aperture. Above this is a subsidiary seconds dial. The time ring is formatted with large Arabic-style hour numerals, a dotted minute ring, and Arabic five-minute makers. The four spandrel areas are decorated with colorful geometric patterns. The framing is defined with raised gesso dots finished in gilt paint. The two fields of color are first yellow and then red. These colors are festive. One will find a moon phase mechanism or lunar calendar in the arch of this dial. The lunar calendar or moon phase mechanism is a mechanical almanac. This feature was most likely made on special order due to the extra work involved in producing it. This display would have been valuable to a number of occupations during the colonial era. Farmers were known to track the moon phase to anticipate the days that offered the most available moonlight. A bright night would be more beneficial to them in scheduling the tilling and harvesting of their fields. Sailors and merchants track the lunar phases to know when the high tide would allow their ships to sail easily from the harbor or when the fishing might be best. Numerous religious groups had an almost superstitious litany of rituals that were best performed in accordance with lunar events. The actual lunar month represents an inconvenient interval of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds. A tall clock's lunar calendar is set constant at 29.5 days, which represents a complete cycle. As a result, a 9-hour setback is required at the end of a single year to keep the lunar display current. 

The clock movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four-turned pillars support the two large brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. The movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days fully wound. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design, having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.

This clock, inventory number CCC-15, was made circa 1805 and stands approximately 8 feet or 96 inches tall to the top of the center finial. Measured at the lower bonnet molding, the case is approximately 21 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep.