Lemuel Curtis of Concord, MA. Signed on the dial, "Warranted By L. Curtis." A wall timepiece or banjo clock. HH-71.
This is a fine Federal Massachusetts timepiece or "Banjo clock" made in Concord, Massachusetts, circa 1820 by Lemuel Curtis. HH-71.
This is an outstanding example. The case is constructed in mahogany and features flat frames that are mahogany and crossbanded with rosewood. These frames are fitted with reverse painted or egloimise tablets. The tablets are original to this clock and are done in excellent colors. The lower tablet depicts a nautical scene entitled in a deep red banner, "The Constitution's Escape." USS Constitution encountered a British squadron in January of 1812 as it was en route from the Chesapeake Bay North to New York. Outnumbered, the Constitution outmaneuvered their adversary for three days and escaped to Boston. This short engagement is portrayed on calm seas and a pink sky overhead. It is framed in a floral-decorated green border. An opening has been left open in the sky to view the motion of the brass-faced pendulum bob. This area is decorated with a fine cross-hatched pattern. The throat tablet is also colorfully painted and decorated. The design displayed here is a traditional theme and is skillfully executed.
The eagle finial, the dial bezel, and the side arms are brass. The bezel, which is fitted with glass, opens to a painted dial that is signed by the Maker "Warranted by L. Curtis." This iron dial features Arabic-style hour numerals and a traditional Concord gold ring.
Behind this dial is a brass movement that is weight driven and is designed to run for approximately eight days on a full wind. The movement is set in a Concord-style case having a very distinctive cutout in the head. It is mounted to the back of the case with a single screw. The bridge and the pendulum tie-down are a butterfly which is the tradition of this Maker. The cast lead weight features a duckbill-style hook.
Lemuel Curtis was born in Roxbury, MA, in 1790. He died in New York on June 17, 1857. Lemuel had two brothers who were also involved with clockmaking. He was the nephew of Aaron Willard and probably trained with Simon Willard in Roxbury. He was a terrific clockmaker and the inventor of the Girandole. For an in-depth description of his clockmaking activity, please read Paul Foley's book, "Willard's Patent Time Pieces."
This clock measures approximately 33.25 inches long overall, wide at the lower box, and inches deep.
Inventory number HH-71.
Lemuel Curtis was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1790, to Samuel and Sarah (Partridge) Curtis. Sarah had five sisters, and four of them married clockmakers: Abel Hutchins, Elnathan Taber, Aaron Willard, and Samuel Curtis. Lemuel likely learned his craft from Simon Willard, a well-known clockmaker in Roxbury. In December 1811, Lemuel moved to Concord, Massachusetts, and opened his own shop near the courthouse. He advertised that he was working independently at that time. On December 1, 1814, he married Sarah Abbott of Concord. Two years later, on July 12, 1816, he received a patent for the Girandole wall clock. Many consider this decorative clock to be one of America's most beautiful contributions to clockmaking. Its gilded pendulum box was inspired by the round girandole mirrors popular between 1810 and 1830. In 1820, Lemuel partnered with Joseph N. Dunning, and they moved their business to Burlington, Vermont, in 1821. Their shop was at the corner of Church and College Streets in the Thomas Hotel, near the courthouse. They worked together until 1832, making clocks and silver items, and also selling watches, jewelry, and other goods. On May 4, 1832, they announced the end of their partnership. Afterward, Curtis continued in retail, selling items like bonnets, parasols, raisins, molasses, codfish, and mackerel. During the depression of 1837, he mortgaged his property and his pew in the White Meeting House. In 1839, he became an agent for looking glasses and later worked as a jeweler. Lemuel died in New York on June 17, 1857. He is remembered for making girandoles, timepieces, lyre clocks, and shelf clocks.
