Aaron Willard Tall clock. This mahogany case features rosewood banded inlay and was made in Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1805. ZZ-4.
This is a classic Boston tall clock, renowned for its excellent narrow proportions, a hallmark of the Roxbury school of cabinetmakers. The case is approximately 97 inches tall to the top of the center finial, or 7 feet 11 inches.
This inlaid mahogany case features choice wood selections and a light shellac finish that highlights its natural warm tones. The case stands on an applied bracket base with four flared French-style feet and a subtle drop apron. These are attached to the bottom of the case. The base panel shows a unique grain pattern created by two branches positioned side by side where they joined the tree's trunk. The history is recorded here that the grain pattern of the main trunk was forced to move around the two knots, and a U-shaped grain fills the middle space. A double band of light Hollywood, enclosing a strip of cross-banded rosewood veneer inlay, accents the well-figured panel. The long, rectangular waist door is also vertically grained, with a knot pattern above the door lock. This panel is inlaid with the same banding used in the base. The outer edge of the door has applied molding. This door provides access to the inside of the case, where the wooden rod pendulum and drive weights are located. You will also notice “AW” written in chalk on the backboard, possibly a cabinetmaker's notation suggesting the case was designed for Aaron. The front corners of the waist have traditionally formed brass stop-fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass quarter capitals and bases. The bonnet features pierced open fretwork, supported by three fluted and capped plinths. Each plinth has a brass ball and spiked finial. Fully turned and brass stop-fluted bonnet columns support the upper bonnet molding and are mounted in brass capitals and bases. The columns are free-standing. The arched bonnet door is decorated with a thin line of inlay made of two rows of light and dark blocking in an alternating pattern. The glass in the door protects the dial.
The painted dial, measuring 12 inches across, is a striking feature of this clock. The four spandrel areas feature oval cartouches, each displaying a cluster of grapes, a perfect theme for a wine lover. The fancy scrolled designs surrounding these are created by applying gesso to the dial's surface. The gesso provides a three-dimensional quality to the design. This detail is then highlighted and embellished with gilt paint. The outer chapter ring is decorated with Arabic five-minute makers, separated from the larger Roman hour numerals by a dotted minute ring. A subsidiary seconds dial is located under the hour XII. The dial is signed "Aaron Willard / BOSTON" above the Roman hour numeral six. In the lunette is a colorful pastoral scene. Depicted in its oval format are two figures standing in the foreground, admiring the cattle behind the fence and the thatched-roof home and barn.
The movement, a testament to the clockmaker's ability, is constructed in brass. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The time-and-strike design, with a rack-and-snail striking system, ensures it strikes each hour on the hour on a cast-iron bell mounted above the movement.
This beautiful Willard clock was made circa 1805. It stands approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial.
Inventory number ZZ-4.
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.
