A Banjo Clock

Object Details

Willard, Aaron

Description

In 1802 Simon Willard (1753-1848) of Boston obtained a U.S. patent for a timepiece as original as it was successful. The banjo clock, nicknamed for its characteristic shape, established the independence of American clockmaking from European traditions. Its design was perfect from the beginning. Vast numbers have been manufactured without notable modification, and its production continues today.

Willard's banjo clock was a lightly built, compact wall timekeeper, about three feet tall, accurate and dependable. It was economical to produce, graceful in appearance, and usually lacked hour-striking and alarm mechanisms. Weight-driven, it contained a small brass movement similar to that of the Massachusetts shelf clock, but further reduced in size and weight. The movement had been calculated so that a small drop of the weight (only fifteen inches as compared to about six feet for a tall case clock) would keep it running for eight days. For ease of maintenance, its pendulum was hung in front of the movement, not behind, as in tall case or Massachusetts shelf clocks, an arrangement that American clockmakers soon widely adopted.

Several thousand banjo clocks were probably built in Simon Willard's own shop. But he also freely permitted his numerous clockmaking relatives, former apprentices, and other clockmakers to produce according to his design. The signature on the banjo clock pictured here is that of Willard's brother Aaron (1757-1844). The timepiece features an unusual alarm arrangement on top of the case. The mahogany case itself is singularly plain compared to Aaron Willard's brightly painted and gilded pieces.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of James Arthur Collection, New York University

ca 1830

before 1822

ID Number

1984.0416.009

catalog number

1984.0416.009

accession number

1984.0416

Object Name

clock, banjo, A. Willard

Physical Description

wood (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 40 1/2 in x 10 1/2 in x 4 in; 102.87 cm x 26.67 cm x 10.16 cm

place made

United States: Massachusetts, Boston

See more items in

Work and Industry: Mechanisms

Domestic Furnishings

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_1203266

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-7536-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa