Simon Willard's Shelf Clocks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simon Willard's Shelf Clock (Half Clock, Massachusetts Shelf Clock) was a relatively economical clock which was produced by the celebrated Simon Willard's Roxbury Street workshop, in Boston, Massachusetts, around the first decades of the 19th century.
Contents |
[edit] History
Right after inventing the Banjo clock, Simon Willard brought the design further, designing the similar Massachusetts Shelf Clock which was related to the traditional Bracket clocks. Simon's new creation ran for eight days.
[edit] Specifications
Differently from its wall predecessor, whose movements were upward fixed on the back board, the Shelf Clock had its movements which laid on a seat board.
Amid the 1790s, in Boston Simon Willard began selling other standardized Shelf Clock. Indeed, it looked like a standard Tall Clock whose hood and base were directly conjoined and whose body was missing. These models included both a second hand and a calendar dial.
[edit] Roxbury street
Simon Willard's Shelf Clocks were weight-driven and some models had an extended base for the falling load so they achieved an entire week autonomy. Also, they had a Pinwheel Escapement. Their strike was of rack and snail. The pendulum was modulated by an adjusting socket which was at face's XII position so, for adjusting, it wasn't necessary to open the rear clock's case.
[edit] Latest Models
Some latest Shelf Clocks featured two artistically finished glass tablets which were beside the circular dial. The whole clock was mounted on lion paws. Simon Willard's Shelf Clocks were produced until the 1830s.
[edit] Trivia
- The Willard Brothers revolutionized the clock manufacturing by both labor division and using multiple previously molded parts. However, it is commonly accepted that historically their clocks weren't definitively popular. Instead, Eli Terry popularized the clock ownership among common American people.
- Nowadays, Simon Willard's clocks are recognized as American masterpieces. As such, they are avidly sought by both antiquarians and museums. In perfect conditions a Simon Willard's clock is usually sold from $50,000 up to $250,000.
- Indeed, nowadays from all Willard brothers' clocks Simon Willard's much finer ones reap the largest bids in auctions.
