Aaron Willard mahogany case tall clock featuring a lunar dial. VV-22.
This is a classic Roxbury/Boston example. This case exhibits excellent proportions and outstanding wood selections. The featured panels are alive with figure. This case measures approximately 91 inches or 7 feet 7 inches tall to the top of the center finial. The painted dial measures 12 inches across.
This bold mahogany case is presented in a modern shellac-based finish, enhancing this exotic wood's warm red and brown tones. The case is supported on four boldly formed ogee bracket feet. These are applied to the bottom of the double-step molding applied to the bottom of the base. The crotch mahogany base panel is oriented vertically. The grain structure is excellent. The waist section features brass stop-fluted quarter columns on the front corners. These columns terminate in brass quarter capitals. A tombstone-shaped waist door is centered in the waist. The grain selected for this location is vibrantly colored and features long vertical striping. This door is fitted with applied molding along the outside edge. One would open this door to gain access to the inside of the case. The wooden rod brass-faced pendulum and two painted black tin can drive weights are located here. The bonnet features a pierced and open fretwork design, three large brass ball-and-spiked finials, and capped fluted plinths. Fully turned and brass stop-fluted bonnet columns support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted iron dial.
The painted iron dial is attributed to the Boston, Massachusetts, ornamental artist John Minott. Minott dials are high quality. This dial mounts directly to the movement without a subsidiary false plate. The four spandrel areas are decorated with floral themes. The flowers were based on carnations. These are framed in a gilt border. In the arch or lunette is a lunar calendar or moon phase display. The hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed in the traditional format. A dotted minute ring separates the Arabic five-minute markers from the Roman-style hour numerals. In the center is a subsidiary seconds dial. The Clockmaker's name is painted below the calendar display of the month day. The signature reads, "Aaron Willard." The steel hour and minute hands are nicely shaped and filed for additional detail.
The movement, constructed in brass, is a testament to the quality and functionality of this clock. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind, ensuring reliable timekeeping. The time-and-strike design, incorporating a rack and snail striking system, will strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This stunning Willard clock, a testament to the craftsmanship of the late 18th century, stands tall at approximately 7 feet 11 inches. The bonnet molding is 21 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep.
Inventory number VV-22.
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.
