Simon Willard Tall clock. Roxbury, Massachusetts. This handsome, inlaid, tall clock is decorated with line inlay, twelve individual quarter fans, and a patera. 223275.
This handsome Simon Willard tall case clock was once owned by the ornamental Artist D. J. Steele. A handwritten inscription inside the waist door in graphite reads, "S. Joseph Rogers / Wellesley Hills, Mass. / purchased from Christine Steel Milton, Mass / 1946." Christine Steel was the wife of D. J. Steele.
Daniel J. (D.J.) Steele was one of America's most talented twentieth-century ornamental glass painters. His legacy is illustrated in the detailed and long-lasting reverse-painted glasses sometimes exhibited in the finer timepieces produced by the Waltham Clock Co. and Walter H. Durfee. His is the only ornamental artist name found signed on tablets installed in these clocks.
Daniel J. Steele lived a relatively short life. D. J. was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, on March 12, 1888, and immigrated to America in 1803. He would have been 15 years old. Based on directory listings, D.J. was active in Boston from 1903 to 1926. Where he trained to become an ornamental artist has yet to be discovered. However,h it is speculated that he may have worked for William W. Spraque & Co. This Boston firm was known as a source for reproduction reverse painted glasses. D.J. became a highly skilled artist, and his timepiece glasses are coveted by collectors today. In 1906, he was listed in the directories as a dial and glass painter. In 1908, he advertised "D. J. STEELE, Dial and Glass Painting, Colonial Pictures Reproduced on Glass for Willard Clocks, Mirrors, Etc., Province Court Boston." D.J. also became recognized as a Willard expert. He authored the first article on Simon Willard's Banjo Clocks, published in Antiques Magazine in February 1922. Daniel filed an intention to marry Christine MacNell of Berkeley Street in Boston on June 16, 1911, in the Boston Globe. Christine learned painting on glass from her husband and continued the business after Daniel died in 1927 in Milton.
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, and brass stop fluting. 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. All clocks are first judged by their proportions, and this example does not disappoint. The woodwork retains an older shellac-based finish, highlighting the figuring and inlay work exhibited in the case design. The case is elevated on four boldly-formed ogee bracket feet. They are applied to the underside of the double-stepped base molding. A full patera is centered in the base panel. The base panel, waist door, and bonnet door are all decorated with lined inlays. Quarter-fans are positioned in each of the corners of these patterns. How special it is to have quarter fans inlaid in the hood door is worth noting. So, few examples are decorated in this manner. The triangular-shaped inlays 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. One would open this to access the two tine can 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 lined inlaid 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 hood side panels 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 Clockmaker prominently signs the colorful 12-inch painted iron dial, "Simon Willard," in script lettering just below the month calendar aperture. Above this is a subsidiary seconds dial. The time ring is formatted with large Roman-style hour numerals and a dotted minute ring, separating these from the Arabic five-minute makers. The four spandrel areas are decorated with colorful florals. The lunette area features a colorful bird in an active posture. It is depicted turning back on itself, perhaps in pursuit of an insect flying over the Blue & Scarlet Pimpernels. Painted gilt designs frame this scene and the four spandrels.
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 was made circa 1795.
The case stands approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial. The hood is approximately 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number 223275.
Simon Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on April 3, 1753. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton. While living in Grafton, Simon answered the Lexington alarm on April 19, 1775, along with his brothers. It is thought that by 1782 he moved from Grafton and took up residence in Roxbury as a Clockmaker. Simon became a Master Clockmaker as well as an inventor. He is well known for receiving patents for his roasting jack in 1782, his "Improved Timepiece" or Banjo clock in 1802, and an alarm clock patent. In addition, he trained many men to make clocks who became well-known Clockmakers once their apprenticeships were served. Some of them include the brothers Levi and Able Hutchins, Elnathan Taber, William Cummens, Ezekiel Jones and Daniel Munroe. Some of the more notable public clocks Simon built include the clock in the United States Capitol building's Statuary Hall. He also built a clock for the House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate. Simon died on August 30, 1848, at the age of 95.
