Lemuel Curtis of Concord, MA. Signed on the dial, "Warranted By L. Curtis." A wall timepiece or banjo clock. HH-71.
This is a fine Federal Massachusetts timepiece or "Banjo clock" made in Concord, Massachusetts, circa 1820 by Lemuel Curtis. HH-71.
This is an outstanding example. The case is constructed in mahogany and features flat frames that are mahogany and crossbanded with rosewood. These frames are fitted with reverse painted or egloimise tablets. The tablets are original to this clock and are done in excellent colors. The lower tablet depicts a nautical scene entitled in a deep red banner, "The Constitution's Escape." USS Constitution encountered a British squadron in January of 1812 as it was en route from the Chesapeake Bay North to New York. Outnumbered, the Constitution outmaneuvered their adversary for three days and escaped to Boston. This short engagement is portrayed on calm seas and a pink sky overhead. It is framed in a floral-decorated green border. An opening has been left open in the sky to view the motion of the brass-faced pendulum bob. This area is decorated with a fine cross-hatched pattern. The throat tablet is also colorfully painted and decorated. The design displayed here is a traditional theme and is skillfully executed.
The eagle finial, the dial bezel, and the side arms are brass. The bezel, which is fitted with glass, opens to a painted dial that is signed by the Maker "Warranted by L. Curtis." This iron dial features Arabic-style hour numerals and a traditional Concord gold ring.
Behind this dial is a brass movement that is weight driven and is designed to run for approximately eight days on a full wind. The movement is set in a Concord-style case having a very distinctive cutout in the head. It is mounted to the back of the case with a single screw. The bridge and the pendulum tie-down are a butterfly which is the tradition of this Maker. The cast lead weight features a duckbill-style hook.
Lemuel Curtis was born in Roxbury, MA, in 1790. He died in New York on June 17, 1857. Lemuel had two brothers who were also involved with clockmaking. He was the nephew of Aaron Willard and probably trained with Simon Willard in Roxbury. He was a terrific clockmaker and the inventor of the Girandole. For an in-depth description of his clockmaking activity, please read Paul Foley's book, "Willard's Patent Time Pieces."
This clock measures approximately 33.25 inches long overall, wide at the lower box, and inches deep.
Inventory number HH-71.
Lemuel Curtis was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1790. He was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Partridge) Curtis, whose sister married Aaron Willard, making him his nephew. It is thought that Lemuel probably trained with Simon Willard in Roxbury. Lemuel had two brothers who were also involved with clockmaking. In 1811, he moved to Concord, MA, and took a shop near the Court House. At that time, Lemuel advertised that he was working on his own. On July 12, 1816, he was granted a patent for the girandole wall clock. This decorative form is considered by many to be America's most beautiful contribution to the market. Lemuel had two brothers who were also involved with clockmaking. His brother Benjamin Curtis may have painted a number of the glasses in his signed clocks. In 1820, he formed a partnership with Joseph N. Dunning. This partnership moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1821. Their shop in Burlington was located at the corner of Church and College Streets in the Thomas Hotel. They worked there in collaboration until 1832. While in Burlington, they worked as clockmakers, silversmiths, and jewelers. Lemuel died in New York on June 17, 1857. Lemuel is known to have made girandoles, timepieces, lyre clocks, and shelf clocks.
