Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Banjo clock

Aaron Willard Banjo Clock

Partially verified

This Aaron Willard banjo clock is constructed with a mahogany case featuring brass pierced side elements and a carved, fluted giltwood tail. The dial is painted with Roman numerals and bears the signature "Aaron Willard Boston." The clock incorporates two eglomise tablets; the throat tablet is decorated with scrollwork, an eagle, and a shield, while the lower tablet features a scene titled "The Constitution's Escape" depicting ships. The clock is topped with a gilt brass eagle finial and measures 41 inches in height.

Front view of the Aaron Willard banjo clock showing the dial, glass throat and lower tablets, and giltwood tail.
Front view of the Aaron Willard banjo clock showing the dial, glass throat and lower tablets, and giltwood tail. — Jackson's International (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Banjo clock
Maker / attribution
Aaron Willard
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1134
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
United States

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Aesthetics

The structure is accented by brass pierced decorative side elements that flank the throat section. The top of the case is mounted with a gilt brass eagle finial, providing a central ornamental point.

The base of the clock features a carved and fluted giltwood tail, which provides a weighted visual anchor to the overall design. The exterior surfaces are embellished with gilded elements that frame the central glass tablets, maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout the instrument's height of 41 inches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Mahogany case, brass pierced decorative side elements, gilt brass eagle finial”
  • “Height 41 inches.”

Dial and Eglomise Ornamentation

The clock features a painted dial marked with Roman numerals for timekeeping. The dial face is signed with the maker's attribution, "Aaron Willard Boston." This signature serves as the primary identification for the horological origin of the piece.

Complementing the dial are two eglomise glass tablets. The throat tablet is decorated with scrollwork, an eagle, and a shield. The lower tablet features a detailed scene identified by the caption "The Constitution's Escape," depicting historical naval vessels.

Evidence for this section
  • “painted dial with Roman numerals, signed Aaron Willard Boston”
  • “the eglomise throat tablet decorated with scrollwork, eagle and shield”
  • “the lower tablet decorated with the USS Constitution's escape”
  • “Glass is likely restored.”

Documentation and Condition

The object is identified as an Aaron Willard banjo clock and was offered under lot number 1134. While the physical description provides details regarding the construction and decorative elements, the auction house explicitly states that the absence of specific condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.

Potential interested parties are directed that a formal condition report is available upon request. The provided details regarding the clock's current state remain restricted to the visible features and the specific notation regarding the restoration of the glass components.

Evidence for this section
  • “AARON WILLARD BANJO CLOCK”
  • “Lot 1134”
  • “Glass is likely restored.”
  • “The absence of condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition”

Open research questions

  • What is the state of the internal mechanical movement, such as the weight, pendulum, and escapement?
  • Is there further documentation to verify the timeline of the glass restoration mentioned in the description?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Aaron Willard Banjo Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAaron Willard“Aaron Willard”
Height41 inches“Height 41 inches”
Case MaterialMahogany“Mahogany case”
Lower Tablet SubjectUSS Constitution's escape“the lower tablet decorated with the USS Constitution's escape”
FinialGilt brass eagle“gilt brass eagle finial”
Glass conditionLikely restored“Glass is likely restored.”

Visible details

  • Gilt brass eagle finial surmounts the clock
  • Dial signed 'Aaron Willard Boston'
  • Throat tablet depicts an eagle and shield with scrollwork
  • Lower tablet depicts naval vessels with the label 'The Constitution's Escape'

Research qualifications

  • The glass elements are described by the auction house as likely being restored.
  • The auction description lacks specific information regarding the clock's mechanical movement or internal condition.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

AARON WILLARD BANJO CLOCK

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f5cf2bafdf

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other banjo clock records