An important figured mahogany wall clock, the works by Simon Willard, Grafton, Massachusetts circa 1805

the silvered dial inscribed S. Willard.  Appears to retain its original crest and brass finials.  Retains a dark historic surface.

Colonel Guy Walker

Majority of fretwork is original however there are several patches; proper right top corner missing an inch by 3/4 of an inch piece of wood. Please note that the backboard is replaced. Please contact the Americana Department for further information.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This wall clock represents an extremely rare form as fewer than three dozen by Simon Willard (1753-1848) and Aaron Willard (1757- 1844) are known. Its dial is engraved by Simon, who manufactured it while working in Grafton during the American Revolution. It has survived in remarkable condition and appears to retain its original finials and fretwork.

Clocks of this type represent the Willards' trend toward smaller wall clock movements that were more economical to produce during the shortage and price increase of brass during the Revolution. Resembling a portable, spring-powered clock resting on a bracket, this thirty-hour timepiece is weight powered, strikes on the hour and displays a kidney shaped silvered brass dial with a seconds dial. The movement is housed within a highly figured mahogany case crowned with elaborate pierced fretwork and finials. Willard made a limited number of these clocks and advertised them on his labels as "Time pieces which run 30 hours and warranted, price 10 dollars." Though costly at the time, the price was one-fifth the price of that of a tall-case clock. Although Willard was attempting to appeal to a larger market, he apparently made very few and soon moved to Roxbury (Dr. Roger Robinson and Herschel Burt, The Willard House and Clock Museum, Columbia, PA, 1996, pp. 10, 105).

Several Simon Willard wall clocks of closely comparable design are known. One owned by the Frothingham family of Boston is currently in the collection of Winterthur Museum (see Charles Montgomery, American Furniture, The Federal Period, New York, 1966, no. 156). One made for Benjamin Guild of Cambridge appears pictured in R.W. Husher and W.W. Welch, A Study of Simon Willard Clocks, 1980, p. 25, fig. 1.24. Another missing its original fret was sold at Grogan and Company on September 21, 2003 for $126,500. One signed by Simon Willard was formerly in the collection of Mrs. J. Insley Blair (see Christie's, Property from the Collection of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, January 21, 2006, lot 532). One at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and one at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, both with less elaborate dials, are illustrated as figs. 505 and 507, respectively in William Distin and Robert Bishop, The American Clock, New York, 1976, pp. 31-2.

Aaron Willard's extant clocks of this type are also very similar in design. One made for Mr. John Nazro (circa 1750-after 1799) of Worcester and Boston was sold at Christie's, Property from the Collection of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, January 21, 2006 as lot 531 for $262,400. Another example signed by Aaron Willard was deaccessioned by Winterthur Museum and sold at Christies, January 18, 2007, lot 529 for $144,000.