19th Century Wood Banjo clock. In mahogany with original gilt brass eagle finial, painted steel dial, original weight, key and brass pendulum, circa 1840, 32.5 x 11.25 x 3.8”.

Weight: 14
Height: 32
Width: 10
Depth: 4
Size: 32.5" H
Maker: N/A
Material: Mahogany, brass, glass
Date: 19th century
Provenance: FL Estate
Condition: Working order. There are three small pieces of trim missing. A 2" piece on bottom right and 1/2 and 1/4" on sides of center panel.
History: First patented in 1802 by brothers Aaron and Simon Willard, the banjo clock was one of the most popular clocks of its time. Despite the patent, it didn’t take long for other clockmakers to jump on the bandwagon and copy the Willards’ design. Unfortunately for collectors of antique banjo clocks, many Willard banjo clocks do not carry their maker’s name, so it is often difficult to identify who made it. Originally called an "Improved Timepiece," the clock later became known as a "banjo" because it looked similar to the musical instrument. Its white, circular face, painted with black numbers (mostly Roman numerals), flows into a long, tapered neck, which meets at a square base. The hinged door of the base is elaborately painted, often with a beautiful view, a naval scene, or an ornamental pattern. Thin pieces of curved brass often run down the necks of these clocks, and brass sculptures, most commonly of an eagle, routinely crown their tops. Banjo clocks had eight-day movements, which means they only had to be rewound every eight days. They were originally designed as wall clocks, but due to their immense popularity, variations meant to sit on the mantel were soon created as well, albeit in smaller quantities.