Aaron Willard Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts. A gilt frame wall timepiece or banjo clock with a lower tablet that vividly captures the heroic naval battle between the Hornet and Peacock, a momentous event in maritime history. AAA-18.

This fine Federal Massachusetts Timepiece or “Banjo clock” was made by Aaron Willard Jr., a renowned clockmaker of the Federal period, of Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1825. 

The case is constructed in mahogany and features mahogany frames that retain much of their original gilding. The gilding has experienced some minor areas of loss. In addition, a gilt wash has been applied to most gilded surfaces. The color is very good. The frames are fitted with reverse painted or eglomise decorated tablets that exhibit a very high level of artistic skill. The detail work is enhanced by the colors used. The lower tablet is an older restoration. It is titled “Hornet and Peacock” in a banner below the scene. On October 26th, 1812, the sloop of war, the USS Hornet, left Boston along with the frigate USS Constitution with orders to raid British shipping along the coast of South America. On February 24th, the Hornet, under the command of Master Commandant James Lawrence, engaged the cruiser class brig-sloop HMS Peacock just outside the mouth of the Demerara River. They passed each other on opposite tacks and fired at each other from their broadsides. The Peacock suffered heavy hull damage. Both turned sharply, and the bow of the Hornet came up against the stern of the Peacock from where the British could not fire. The Hornet’s guns shattered the Peacock in four minutes. The Peacock sank in 33 feet of water. Much of this tablet has been restored. The artistry performed and the colors matched up very closely with the throat tablet.  The throat tablet is original to this clock and is in excellent original condition. It is decorated with a traditional theme. In the lower section, a painted banner features the Clockmaker’s name, A. WILLARD JR / BOSTON. The sidearms, finial, and dial bezel are brass. The dial bezel is fitted with glass and opens to a painted iron dial. This dial features a traditional time ring that is formatted with Roman hour numerals. Remnants of the Clockmaker’s signature remains on the dial. 

The time-only movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. Please note that the original lead time weight descends a channel in the center of the case directly below the works. This channel is framed in pine. The movement features brass construction. The two brass plates are rectangular. They are long and frame the gearing. Four brass pillars secure these. The movement is mounted to the backboard with two steel thru-bolt screws that are diagonally positioned on the plates. Amazingly, these remain with the clock. A T-bridge suspension supports the pendulum. Overall, the movement is of excellent quality, typical of this Maker. The pendulum is constructed with a steel rod and a brass-faced lead bob. 

This attractive clock, with its unique naval battle depiction and excellent original condition, measures approximately 34.5 inches long to the top of the finial and was made around 1820.

Inventory number 213058.