An Aaron Willard Jr. gilt frame wall timepiece or banjo clock made in Boston circa 1820. The dial is numbered “1907” and the lower tablet depicts Helios. 220097.

This classic Federal Massachusetts Timepiece or "Banjo clock" was made by Aaron Willard Jr. of Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1820.

The case is made of mahogany and has rope-decorated frames. The gilded finish is in excellent condition. Both frames hold reverse-painted, or eglomise, tablets. The artwork is detailed and uses vibrant colors. The lower tablet shows the sun god Helios, who drove his chariot across the sky each day, bringing hours and seasons to the earth. Helios started from a palace in the east and traveled to one in the west, then returned home each night by ferry with his chariot and team. In the scene, he stretches out his left arm to hold the reins of the two hippocampi. These beasts pulled his chariot. In his right hand, he holds a trident. The oval opening in the center lets you see the brass-faced pendulum bob moving behind the glass, with sun rays extending outward. The glass has had some restoration, mostly around the outer border. The throat tablet features a traditional design, and its colors match those in the lower tablet.

The sidearms, finial, and dial bezel are brass. The dial bezel is fitted with glass, protecting the painted iron dial. 

The maker’s name and location are clearly signed and still easy to read after 200 years. The signature says, “A. Willard, Jr. / Boston.“ The dial is also marked “No. 1907.” Roman numerals show the hours, with dashes for the minute ring and diamond markers at each quarter hour. Two hand-filed steel barbed hands indicate the time, a feature common to most Aaron Willard Jr. wall clocks.

The time-only movement is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. Please note that the original lead time-weight descends the channel in the center of the case directly below the works. The movement features brass construction. Two brass plates frame the gearing, and four brass pillars secure them. The movement is mounted to the backboard with two screws that are diagonally positioned on the plates. They secure the backplate to the wooden backboard. The pendulum is supported by a bridge suspension post. This clock was originally fitted with an alarm feature. This mechanism has been removed in the past. This does not affect the clock's ability to keep time. Overall, the movement is of excellent quality, which is typical of this Maker. The pendulum is constructed with a steel rod and a brass-faced lead bob. The brass face is, of course, visible through the lower opening in the front door. Its motion indicates the clock is operating. 

This attractive clock measures approximately 34.5 inches long to the top of the finial. It was made circa 1820.

Inventory number 220097.