E. Howard & Company of Boston, Massachusetts. The Model 95 wall timepiece or Banjo clock. 221210.
This is fine Massachusetts Improved Timepiece, or "Banjo clock," was made by the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston, Massachusetts. It is an unusual example in that it features reverse-painted tablets by the very talented Boston artist D J Steele.
The case is mahogany and retains its original finish. The case form features flat mahogany frames and a decorative presentation bracket. The bracket is applied to the lower section of the case. The bracket design features three carved flutes and eleven turned wooden balls. Cast brass decorative side arms are fitted to the sides of the waist or throat section. The dial bezel is also cast in brass. This is fitted with a convex clear glass to protect the dial. Atop the case is an impressive eagle finial mounted on a mahogany plinth. The case lot 11 is die-stamped into several locations, including the frames. A sheet of tin is used to separate the weight channel from the pendulum. This is painted black. A pendulum tie-down is located on the lower tin. The Clockmaker's setup label is tacked inside the case in the lower box.
Both flat mahogany frames are fitted with very colorful reverse-painted tablets. These are executed with a very high level of skill. The lower tablet is signed by the artist, D. J. Steele. Daniel J. Steele was born in Nova Scotia and immigrated to America. He worked in Boston as early as 1903 and died young in 1827. His work is occasionally found in Waltham-made timepieces and several Walter Durfee clocks. He is considered by many collectors today to have been the most talented painter of his era. The clocks that feature his work are often sold for a premium. These tablets are hand-painted in good color from the back and feature traditional themes. Both tablets are original to the clock and are in fine condition. The lower tablet is titled "AURORA." Aurora was the Roman goddess of a new dawn. She traveled across the sky in her gilded chariot, announcing a new day or the sun's arrival. Two winged horses are pulling her chariot.
The brass dial bezel is fitted with convex glass and opens to access the flat-painted iron dial. It is formatted with a closed minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals. This dial is signed by the Clockmaker, "E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON."
The brass movement is weight-driven and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is mounted to the clock with four screws that attach the backplate to a brass mounting plate. This intermediate plate is mounted directly to the backboard of the case. Two rectangular-shaped plates frame the gearing. These retain their original nickel finish. The front plate is die-stamped by the Maker on the left. It reads, "E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON / 5." In addition, this high-quality movement features maintaining or retaining power and a Geneva Stop winding mechanism. The Geneva stop gear has been removed. This gear will be restored when the clock is serviced. The works are weight-powered. The weight in this example is lead. The pendulum hangs from the front of the movement. The wooden rod supports a brass-faced bob. The bob retains its original ring-turned design.
This clock case measures approximately 43 inches long. It was made circa 1925.
Inventory number 221210.
The E. Howard & Company succeeded the Howard & Davis firm in 1857. The Howard & Davis firm was comprised of Edward Howard and David Porter Davis and was established in 1842 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Both men had just completed their clock apprenticeship under the guidance of Aaron Willard Jr in Boston. The Howard & Davis firm made high-grade clocks, precision balances, sewing machines, fire engines, and watches. After the dissolution of Howard & Davis, Edward Howard became Boston's leading manufacturer of weight-driven residential and commercial clocks. The firm also made a large number of tower clocks and watchman and salve clock systems. These sold well in the last quarter of the 1800s.
It has been said that the E. Howard Clock company never made an inexpensive clock, and everything they made was of very good quality. As a result, Howard clocks have become very collectible and are prized by their owners. Today, the E. Howard name enjoys outstanding name recognition.
For a more in-depth reading of Edward Howard and his various businesses, please read "Willard's Patent Time Pieces," written by Paul Foley.
