Clock · Banjo wall clock

Federal Style Quartersawn Oak Banjo Wall Clock

Partially verified

According to the auction listing, this unsigned Federal style banjo wall clock features a case constructed from quartersawn oak accented with gilt-wood frames and brass side scrolls. The clock is surmounted by a cast brass eagle-on-ball finial and houses an off-white circular painted dial with Roman numerals and pierced metal hands. A single winding arbor is positioned near the 2 o'clock location for its weight-driven mechanical movement. The throat is fitted with a reverse-painted glass panel displaying gilt and colored scrollwork and a central shield on a pale blue ground. The lower rectangular door tablet depicts an engagement between two naval frigates, flanked by classical columns with an American eagle, shield, and a vignette of a distressed vessel.

Front view of the Federal style oak banjo wall clock showing painted dial and reverse-painted tablets — Willow Auction House. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Clock · Banjo wall clock
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 89
Source-reported date: Not established
Country: Not established

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

Construction and Materials

This Federal-style banjo wall clock is constructed of quartersawn oak, accented by gilt-wood frames and brass components, including side scrolls. A cast brass eagle-on-ball finial surmounts the case on a turned pedestal.

General scuffs and scratches are noted throughout the wooden case. Significant losses to the gilding on the wooden frames are recorded, particularly at the base. A modern metal mounting bracket has been added to the upper back.

Evidence for this section

“Federal style banjo wall clock constructed of quartersawn oak with gilt-wood frames and brass components.”
“The traditional form is surmounted by a cast brass eagle-on-ball finial”
“Brass side scrolls flank the case.”
“Significant losses to the gilding on the wooden frames, particularly at the base.”
“General scuffs and scratches are present throughout the wooden case.”
“A modern metal mounting bracket has been added to the upper back.”

Dial and Visual Appointments

The clock features an off-white circular painted dial with Roman numeral hour markers and pierced metal hands. The dial displays fine craquelure and minor, scattered paint losses.

The throat and lower box feature reverse-painted glass panels. The throat panel displays gilt and colored scrolls with a central shield on a pale blue ground. The lower door panel depicts a maritime naval engagement between two frigates, flanked by classical columns and an American eagle and shield, with a vignette of a distressed vessel at the base.

Evidence for this section

“features an off-white circular painted dial with Roman numeral hour markers and ornate pierced metal hands.”
“The painted dial shows fine craquelure and minor scattered paint losses.”
“The throat panel depicts gilt and colored scrolls with a central shield on a pale blue ground.”
“The lower door panel illustrates a maritime naval engagement between two frigates, flanked by classical columns and centered by an American eagle and shield with a small vignette of a ship in distress at the base.”

Mechanism and Documentation

The clock houses a weight-driven mechanical movement with a single winding arbor located near the 2 o'clock position. The movement is reported as untested and the weights are not present.

The clock is unsigned. An inscription reading '1078' in white chalk is present on the back of the case.

Evidence for this section

“The movement is a mechanical weight-driven type with a single winding arbor.”
“Single winding arbor aperture located near the 2 o'clock position on the dial.”
“The movement is untested and weights are not present.”
“Unsigned.”
“The back of the case is inscribed with the characters 1078 in white chalk.”

Open research questions

What is the origin or significance of the '1078' chalk inscription found on the case?
Are there records or historical associations for the specific naval scene depicted in the lower tablet?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Federal Style Quartersawn Oak Banjo Wall Clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Case Material	Quartersawn oak with gilt-wood frames and brass components	“constructed of quartersawn oak with gilt-wood frames and brass components.”
Finial	Cast brass eagle-on-ball	“surmounted by a cast brass eagle-on-ball finial”
Dial	Off-white circular painted dial with Roman numeral hour markers	“features an off-white circular painted dial with Roman numeral hour markers and ornate pierced metal hands.”
Movement Type	Mechanical weight-driven with single winding arbor	“The movement is a mechanical weight-driven type with a single winding arbor.”
Throat Panel Decoration	Gilt and colored scrolls with central shield on pale blue ground	“The throat panel depicts gilt and colored scrolls with a central shield on a pale blue ground.”
Lower Tablet Decoration	Maritime naval engagement between two frigates	“The lower door panel illustrates a maritime naval engagement between two frigates, flanked by classical columns and centered by an American eagle and shield”
Dimensions	35" H x 10" W x 4" D	“35" H x 10" W x 4" D.”
Inscriptions	1078 in white chalk on reverse	“The back of the case is inscribed with the characters 1078 in white chalk.”

Visible details

Pierced brass side frets connect the throat to the lower box.
Single winding arbor aperture located near the 2 o'clock position on the dial.
Gilded rope-twist inner border frames the reverse-painted glass tablets.
Eagle-and-ball finial mounted on a turned pedestal above the round bezel.

Research qualifications

The maker is unsigned and unspecified in the listing.
Weights are noted as missing and movement is untested by the auction house.
Specific date or period of manufacture is not stated.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: Federal Style Quartersawn Oak Banjo Wall Clock

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 7ed4d70c58

Terms in this record

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