This is an important mahogany Roxbury case tall clock made by Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts.

Aaron Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts on October 13th 1757. Little is known of his early life in Grafton. It is here that he probably learned the skill of clock making from his older brothers Benjamin and Simon. It is recorded that he did march with his brothers in response to the Lexington Alarm on April 19,1775. In 1780, Aaron moved from Grafton to Roxbury along with his brother Simon. Here the Willards establish a reputation for themselves as fine clock manufactures. They were responsible for training a large number of apprentices. Some of which became famous clockmakers in their own right. We have owned a large number of tall case clocks made by this important Maker. In addition, we have also owned a good number of wall timepieces in the form of banjo clocks as well as numerous Massachusetts shelf clock forms.

This is a classic New England example. It exhibits the best of the Boston school proportions. The case is very narrow and measures approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial.

This inlaid mahogany case stands on four pad feet that support a double stepped bracket base. These moldings are applied to the base panel. The lower molding is decoratively formed and incorporates a sweeping apron that drops down to the floor in several locations. The base panel is highlighted with a line inlaid boarder that frames the front panel. The corners of this design are treated in a cutout format. The waist section of this case is very long and narrow. It centers a rectangular shaped waist door. The outside edge of this door is fitted with an applied molding. The mahogany veneer used on this door features a gentle cascading grain pattern. This is also framed with a delicate line inlay pattern that features the same formatting found in the base panel. The sides of this case are fitted with brass stop fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is a fretwork style surmounted with three ball and spike finials. They are mounted on fluted and capped finial plinths. The bonnet columns are also brass stop fluted and end in brass capitals. The bonnet door is an arched form and is line inlaid. It opens to access the nicely painted dial.

This dial is colorfully painted. The four spandrel areas and the area located in the arch of this dial feature floral designs that are framed with a delicate gilt boarder. This clock face displays the hours, minutes, seconds and calendar day. This dial is also signed by the Maker "Aaron Willard Boston" is written in a script format.

This movement is constructed in brass and is good quality. It is weight driven and designed to run eight days on a full wind. It is a time and strike design having a rack and snail striking system that will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.

This beautiful clock was made circa 1800. It stands approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial.