Auction Lot 1084-1097

Boston 8 days, weight driven brass movement patent or banjo timepiece, c1825. Possible Simon Willard banjo as it is early with a head that is a uniform 1/2 inch thickness and has a very thin backboard. The movement has T-bridge suspension, through bolts to secure the movement. There are holes in the keystone for a crossbar. The throat frame is rabbeted on the back side and recessed into the sides of the case and anchored to the case with four screws. The door is latched to the case with an L-turn.
Estimate: $4,000.00 - $5,000.00

Condition Report: Fine grain mahogany case in original finish with a banded mahogany and contrasting veneer throat and door. There is a crack in the head, a small repair on the head near the right side panel and the plinth is a replacement. The bottom panel is cracked in a couple places and repaired. Throat glass is broken, with loss, and looks original. The original bottom tablet is also broken and now sandwiched between two panes of glass. The side arms are unusual as this type is usually found on New Hampshire banjos. Original painted dial has age darkened a little with some loss at the mounting pins, at the winding arbor and in the center area. The dial is held in place with two L-turns. Nice set of period hands. Finial probably later. Ht 30"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

"Regulator No. 1" type and size banjo timepiece, probably Boston area and possibly from one of the Willard shops or by one of their apprentices. The case has a hinged throat and "Regulator" on the lower glass. Now with a paper over metal dial signed Howard & Davis, c1840
Estimate: $2,800.00 - $3,500.00

Condition Report: the case retains it original finish over finely grained mahogany. The dial has been repapered and a brass weight, which was no doubt meant to be seen through the throat glass, along with the gilt pendulum rod, has been replaced with a Howard #1 cast iron weight. The hinged doors with great glass tablets are original with minor touchup. Large, robust 8 day movement was originally attached to the case with through screws as used by Simon and Aaron Willard on their earliest banjo clocks. The hour and minute hands are period. This well made large banjo needs little beyond dial restoration, a proper brass weight and some normal maintenance. Ht 50"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

George W. Morse, Boston, Mass., stained hardwood weight driven time only banjo wall clock in style of Howard No. 5, c1870
Estimate: $2,000.00 - $3,000.00

Condition Report: Morse is listed as working in Boston after having apprenticed for Howard, and as making similar regulators. The initialed movement, signed dial, and lettered lower reverse paint glass tablet all announce the maker. The painted zinc dial has yellowed, crazed, and lost some paint around the edges. The glasses are fine, the case retains a smooth glossy finish, the weight is old. The movement ticks but was not tested long term. 29" x 12" x 4 1/4"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

American, Girandole timepiece, 8 days, weight driven, with restorations and modifications, c1850 / 1950
Estimate: $1,500.00 - $2,000.00

Condition Report: this clock started life as a Massachusetts banjo clock. Perhaps 65 years ago a skilled carver and cabinet maker took the back, movement, throat and baffle from the banjo, tapered the bottom with a saw, then added the rounded cheeks to the backboard to complete a circle. The carved and gilt leafy bottom bracket is old. The lower door and tablet are a bit primitive, and the reverse painting of "Commerce", though with age, is of modest quality, poorly defined. Left sidearm; needs attn: At first glance the old movement, back and baffle speak of a period item, and only careful examination reveals the additions. It is photogenic Throat glass with vertical crack. Ht 43 1/2"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Boston area lyre clock, mahogany and mahogany veneer case with turned wooden bezel, leaf and scroll carved throat panel, bull nose molded lower door and with veneered bracket, carved leaf form finial, Roman numeral white painted sheet iron dial, 8 days, weight driven brass timepiece movement, c1830
Estimate: $1,500.00 - $2,000.00

Condition Report: case in an old refinish, with restoration. Throat and door panels replaced, throat panel now held in place by two large screws, lower section of bracket and finial replaced. Dial has with minor losses. Barbed minute hand present. Ht 40 1/2"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Williams & Hatch, North Attleboro, Mass. 8 days, weight driven brass movement Keyhole wall timepiece, c1867
Estimate: $1,500.00 - $2,000.00

Condition Report: Refinished cherry case was originally grained, with a couple of dings on the bottom door molding and a couple on the upper door. The mahogany cross piece under the dial door is a replacement and doesn't match the color on the rest of the case. Part of the weight baffle has broken off. Original painted dial has slightly age darkened with minor loss at the mounting screws. Original hands and pendulum. The tablet is old glass, but repainted in the wrong colors as most of the clocks made by Hatch had black and gilt glasses. The movement is attributed to George D. Hatch. There is an interesting label of William H. Kehew, a Salem, Mass., Jeweler, watch and clock dealer pasted on the weight baffle. Ht 33"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Attleboro, Mass., style banjo wall clock, 8 days, time only, weight driven movement with a maple or light mahogany case with a painted metal dial and reverse painted throat and lower tablets, c1860
Estimate: $1,000.00 - $1,300.00

Condition Report: the case retains an old finish with one veneer repair on bezel. The weight baffle and pendulum rods are replaced. The tablets are repainted and the dial is badly flaking. Hands may be period, but finial, plinth and side arms are probably later. Ht 34 1/2" W 10 1/4"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Joshua Wilder, Hingham, Mass., patent timepiece or banjo clock, mahogany case with bullnose molded frames, painted tablets, and four wooden side pieces of unusual form, Roman numeral, white painted iron dial, signed "Warranted by J. Wilder / Hingham", unusual blued steel hands, 8 days, weight driven timepiece movement, weight baffle with watch paper of J. Wilder, c1830
Estimate: $1,000.00 - $1,500.00

Condition Report: case with restoration and additions, throat glass restored, lower tablet with original scene has minor loss and repaired border. Case bottom repaired from weight falling. Dial numerals and signature strengthened. Movement correct style, ticking, weight replaced. Ht 33 1/2"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Unknown maker, Daniel Monroe-style 8 days, weight brass movement with alarm diamond head banjo wall timepiece, probably 20th century.
Estimate: $800.00 - $1,200.00

Condition Report: Diamond head wall clocks were designed by Daniel Monroe, Jr. This case shows enough age to make it difficult to determine when this timepiece was actually made. Although it could be late 19th century, it MAY be a product of a wealthy Massachusetts collector (now deceased and we will not name) who was known for buying original movements and old case parts and manufacturing "great rarities" which he sold to as to investor/collectors or donated to museums for large tax write-offs If so, this clock is no more than 60 years old. However, it has a great appearance and has a period movement, probably by Aaron Willard, Jr. (similar to Aaron Jr. movements shown in Foley's book on Willard Patent Timepieces), though it is stamped "L. Curtis". Hands are period and the lead weight is old. The maker was clever in designing a spring assembly to operate the alarm. Nicely executed glasses, now with some flaking. Dial is nice and dates to the time the clock was created. Ht 34"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Lyre wall clock, weight driven, Massachusetts, gilt front mahogany case, leaf and scroll carved throat panel and lower door with paint decorated tablets, bottom with gilt bracket and acorn drop, Roman numeral painted metal dial, 8 days timepiece movement with front plate signed "E. Howard & Co., Boston 28 1/2", with Howard pendulum, 20th century.
Estimate: $750.00 - $1,000.00

Condition Report: throat panel has a split, finial plinth loose. Gilding and gesso on bracket has minor losses, but greater losses on gilt balls. Door molding painted gold. Bezel is tarnished and dial dirty. Ticks. Probably made in the mid 1900s by a good cabinet maker. Ht 44"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Attleboro type banjo wall clock, 8 days, time only, weight driven movement in a mahogany and mahogany veneer case with a painted metal dial and reverse painted throat and lower tablets, c1860
Estimate: $700.00 - $900.00

Condition Report: the case retains its original finish and the eagle finial is an improper addition. The bezel is an old replacement. The dial and both tablets have been repainted. The tie down tab is absent. Ht 34" W 11"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Daniel Pratt & Sons, Reading and Boston, Mass., mahogany, 8 days weight driven banjo wall timepiece, c1855
Estimate: $600.00 - $900.00

Condition Report: the case retains an old dark finish, and the glasses appear old and original with slight losses. The interior paper labels are very nice and unusual, and the painted metal dial is good. The brass unsigned movement, with old weight, is clean and running. Ht 28 1/2"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Isaac H. Tower, Boston, Mass., Attleboro-style, 8 days, time only weight driven banjo wall clock, c1860
Estimate: $400.00 - $600.00

Condition Report: we find this name at 40 Fanueil Hall Square as a watchmaker and clock seller. The dark-stained wood case has an old finish, and the black/gold glasses appear original. Newer wood blocks have been attached to the back. The back of the painted, signed dial shows service dates of 1866, 1875 and 1880. The movement is correct but not tested; weight and pendulum are old and hands correct. Ht 28 1/2"

Dimensions: x x

Circa:

Massachusetts, Attleboro-style Banjo clock, weight driven 8 days timepiece in a mahogany case with wooden side arms, reverse painted tablets, square bottom, c1850
Estimate: $400.00 - $600.00

Condition Report: this clock has been nicely restored, the case refinished, top chimney restored, dial repainted, and movement re-strung. Glass tablets are replaced. It was not always the case, but this is a good clock for the beginning collector, and would encourage him to study about less common banjo clocks. Ht 31"

Dimensions: x x

Circa: