NOT FOR SALE
American federal inlaid mahogany tall clock signed on the dial Simon Willard. The case bonnet with oipen fretwork flanked by and centering three fluted retangular plinths, the outside plinths surmounted by brass ball finial with spire. The center final urn-shaped and topped by a spreadwing eagle holding an olive leaf in its beak; above an arched moulding: the arched glazed door below opening to an arched white painted metal dial, the arch with a rocking ship with a painted American flag against a harnor scene with a house in the backround, the face below with guilt edged spandrels enclosing pink flowersand green foliage, the dial painted with Roman and Arabis numerals and seconds indicator; the faded inscription states Warranted for B Gary above SIMON WILLARD, all flanked by brass stop- fluted colonettes with brass capitals, the sides of the bonnet with arched sidelights, the case with deep cove moulding above a molded door with cheeckered and loightwood banding below, the box base below with checkered and lightwood banding on a shaped skirt on slightly flared tall french feet. The rocking ship movement with the american flag was an expensive option that would have been specialy ordered by the buyer of the clock. Ony a small percentage of willard clocks were made with this desirable option.
Three labels and a pencil inscrition are secured under plastic on the interior door: the original printed 'Directions for setting up a clock', the hand written bill of sale, the pencil note of a repair job, and the note of a subsequent owner. The bill of sale reads: Roxbury, March 18, 1809/ WQ Benj. Gary/ B of Simon Willard/ one warranted eight day clock $60.00/ Received payment in full Simon Willard. The pencil inscription reads: Rep'd by HG Bates June 12, 187x. The later label of an owner reads: Simon Willard Clock / Sally French Kennedy Gerry.
Condition:The case retains a warm color. The left wing of the eagle on urn shaped brass finial is lacking. The top of the fretwork on both sides of the plinth block have been repaired with the original pieces. Five small pieces of wood are applied with glue to the rear side of the fretworkto resecure the break. The painted metal dial retains most of its original paint with some monor flaking. Tn particular the 'Warranted for...' and Simon Willard inscriptions have faded with age and wear. The waves in front of the rocking ship may have been repainted. A narrow strip of molding along the top and bottom outside edge of the case door has split and been re-glued. The rear left foot is missing the side glue-block. Minor repairs to the veneers.
Dimensions:
Height to top of finial 88 1/2'
Height to top of plinth 83 3/4'
Width at cornice 19 1/2'
Width at middle of case 13 1/2'
Width at base 7 1/4'
Debth at cornice 10'
Debth middle of case 7 1/4'
Debth lower case 9 3/8'