Federal Patent Timepiece or "Banjo" Clock by Simon Willard

Description:

Federal Patent Timepiece or "Banjo" Clock by Simon Willard, Roxbury, Massachusetts, c. 1805, the mahogany case with crossbanded inlaid frames enclosing reverse-painted tablets, the lower in blue, salmon, gold, and white marked S. Willard's Patent around the pendulum aperture, the throat flanked by brass side ornaments with finely executed gilt cross-hatching on a white ground, 7 1/2 in. dia. painted iron dial with Roman numerals and gilded band around the perimeter, brass bezel and finial and eight-day movement with step train, deadbeat escapement, through bolt attachment to case, "T-bridge" suspension, pendulum and lead weight, ht. 34 in.

Provenance: Collection of the late Theodore R. Crom.

Note: A patent timepiece from the first decade of the 19th century in original condition is exeeedingly rare. For another remarkable survival see: Skinner American Furniture and Decorative Arts, February 15, 2009, lot 118.
Estimate $30,000-50,000

Painted tablets and all major components are period and original, finial is a replacement, dial numerals relined, 3 x 1/2 in. section of lower tablet restored in the "Patent" area where once a business card was attached, replacement hands.

Keywords