Aaron Willard Dish-Dial shelf clock. Boston, Massachusetts. BBB-8.
This Dish-Dial Shelf Clock form, popular in Boston in the 1820s, holds significant historical value. Several clockmakers produced this form, but Aaron Willard was the most prolific among them.
This mahogany case retains its original finish, which has darkened considerably over the years. The case is elevated on four brass ball feet. These applied to the bottom of the case. The base of this case features a pillow-shaped or rounded molding. This unusual architectural detail is not found on all dish dial clock cases. Mounted above this is a period mirror framed with a half-round molding. The casemaker's number "210" is die-stamped into the top of the upper frame rail and other areas of the case. The mirror is oval-shaped due to the painted decoration that frames it. This decoration has been restored and includes traditional themes. Musical harps are positioned in each corner and are surrounded by gilt and floral decorations. The green and red colors stand out. The top of the bonnet supports a traditional shelf clock fretwork pattern, a reeded chimney or finial plinth, and a ball-and-spike brass finial. The half-rounded bonnet door frame supports a reverse-painted glass tablet. This reverse-painted tablet is an original glass. The artwork remains in very good original condition. Musical harps, the predominant theme, are located in the spandrels. Gilt floral decorations frame the dial opening and the Maker's name. This clock is signed "Aaron Willard / BOSTON" below the dial display. This door opens to access the iron convex-shaped dial. A red-painted wooden mask board frames the dial.
The time-only movement is constructed in brass and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a single-train timepiece powered by a cast-iron weight. The weight descends directly below the works, which are supported on a seatboard. The brass-faced pendulum is supported by a metal rod that attaches to a bridge mounted to the back of the movement. Both the hour and minute hands are skillfully made. They are designed with arrow pointers.
This clock was made circa 1820.
The case is approximately 34.75 inches tall to the top of the finial. It is 13.25 inches wide and 5.75 inches deep.
Inventory number BBB-8.
Aaron Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1757. Little is currently known of Aaron's early life in Grafton. His parents, Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton had eleven children. Aaron was one of four brothers that trained as a clockmaker. In Grafton, he first learned the skills of clock-making from his older brothers Benjamin and Simon. It is recorded that Aaron marched with them in response to the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775, as a private under Captain Aaron Kimball's Company of Colonel Artemus Ward's Regiment. Aaron re-enlisted on April 26 and was soon sent by General George Washington as a spy to Nova Scotia in November. By this time, he had reached the grade of Captain. He soon returned to Grafton to train as a clockmaker. In 1780, Aaron moved from Grafton to Washington Street in Roxbury along with his brother Simon. Here the two Willards establish a reputation for themselves as fine clock manufacturers. They were both responsible for training a large number of apprentices. Many of these became famous clockmakers in their own right. The Willards dominated the clock-making industry in the Boston area during the first half of the nineteenth century. Aaron worked in a separate location in Roxbury from his brother and, in 1792, relocated about a quarter-mile away from Simon's shop across the Boston line. Aaron is listed in the 1798 Boston directory as a clockmaker "on the Neck," His large shop employed up to 30 people, while 21 other clockmakers, cabinetmakers, dial and ornamental painters, and gilders worked within a quarter-mile radius by 1807.
Some important dates for Aaron Willard include...
1783, Aaron married Catherine Gates. They have two children. The first is Aaron Willard Jr who becomes a very accomplished clockmaker. Catherine Gates dies in 1785.
1789, Aaron marries Polly Patridge. Polly has two sisters that also marry clockmakers Abel Hutchins and Elnathan Taber. Aaron and Polly have nine children. Two work-in-the-clock trades. George Willard 1817-1821 becomes a journeyman clockmaker. Henry Willard (1822-1887) trained as a cabinetmaker and made cases for the Willard operation when he came of age.
1792, Aaron builds a large home at 143 Washington Street in Boston. He lives in this house until he dies. This house is also the location of his workshop. A barn is converted into an area to finish wood. Other spaces in the carriage shop are rented to related artisans.
1802-1804, Aaron is in a business partnership with cabinetmaker James Blake as Willard & Blake. Aaron's position is financial.
1804, Aaron he transforms the carriage house and barn into a workshop space for artists, clockmakers, woodworkers, etc. It is now known as Willard's Compound.
1805-1806, Aaron is a financial backer in the partnership of Willard & Nolen. Spencer Nolen (1784-1849) is an ornamental artist who begins painting clock dials. In 1808, Spencer Nolen married Aaron Willard's daughter.
1823, Aaron Willard retires. He is 66 years old.
1844, Aaron died on May 20 and is buried in the Eustis Cemetery in Roxbury.
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, some in the form of banjo clocks, gallery clocks, as well as numerous Massachusetts shelf clock forms.
