Clocks of the World
The Clocks of the World gallery holds over 1,000 clocks, timepieces, and horological tools. Arranged both chronologically and geographically, follow the development of clockmaking and explore how it influenced (and was influenced by) all facets of society. Clocks have transformed innumerable industries and lifeways, including astronomy, navigation, economics, trade, and community.
The mechanical clock did not arise until the late 1200s, but horologists made quick strides in accuracy, artistry, and accessibility. The British turned clockmaking into a science, resolving every major issue facing the mechanical clock by 1700. Additionally, they solved the longitude problem with the invention of the chronometer. This monumental achievement allowed sailors to calculate their East-West position on the seas for the first time, and the success of the British Empire was singularly the result of these timekeepers. Clocks were now precise enough to be used as scientific instruments.
Once the accuracy of mechanical timekeeping had progressed exponentially, clocks began to develop in other spheres, like art, trading, and manufacturing. French pre-revolution clocks featured the efforts of many different craftsmen: bronze sculptors, porcelain modelers, and even cabinet makers. European clockmakers also crafted elaborate pieces for foreign markets. In particular, British clocks for Chinese market are well known for their mechanical moving elements, jewels, and chimes. Finally, it was the American clockmaking industry that refined the manufacturing process, resulting in greater efficiency, lower costs, and a wider variety of offerings. For the very first time, it was possible for the everyday person to own a clock or pocket watch of their own.
Over the course of just a few hundred years, the mechanical clock progressed from tower clocks that told the approximate time to entire communities to handheld, personal machines that told time to the millisecond.
Tallcase Clock with Painted Dial, Segmental Calendar and Seconds Dial
Willard, Aaron (1757–1844)
HC0264
Boston, circa 1800
Willard
Willard
A fine tallcase clock made by Simon Willard’s younger brother, Aaron, a renowned clockmaker in his own right. The eight-day, time and strike movement includes a segmental calendar and seconds dial. The dial is signed, Aaron Willard, Boston. The “Roxbury” style mahogany case has reeded columns with inlaid brass accents, stringing on the trunk and distinctive Willard-style cresting.
Tallcase Clock with Painted Dial, Segmental Calendar and Seconds Dial
Willard, Ephraim (b. 1755)
HC0213
Massachusetts, circa 1790
Willard
Willard
This eight-day time and strike tallcase clock has an English style movement. The painted dial signed, Ephraim Willard includes raised gold decoration and floral motifs. The mahogany case is in the “Roxbury” style. It includes finely inlaid fan motifs on the corners of the trunk and the plinth and lovely reeded and capped freestanding columns on the hood. Brass finials adorn the arched hood.
Tallcase Clock with Strike, Segmental Calendar and Rocking Ship Automaton
Willard, Simon (1753–1848)
HC0182
Roxbury, Massachusetts, circa 1800
Willard
Willard
An excellent tallcase clock by Simon Willard. The Roxbury-style case contains fruitwood stringing and inlaid seashell and fan motifs. Elegantly shaped brass mounts adorn the freestanding fluted columns on the hood and brass capitals. The arched hood contains the distinctive pierced cresting for which Simon was known, exhibiting a sense of lightness and delicacy that is indicative of fine American craftsmanship in this period. The painted scene in the arch contains a ship at sea flying an American flag with a lighthouse in the distance. The automaton ship rocks amid the waves.
Simon Willard’s famous “Roxbury” tall clock cases are easily recognized by their fine details, elegant proportions and rich mahogany. Simon’s tallcase clocks were sought after by many affluent New England citizens of his day. The clocks of Boston became a sign of status due to their quality. A tallcase clock was often the most expensive object found in a late 18th or 19th century home. After about 1802, when his focus shifted to banjo and lighthouse clocks, Simon only made tallcase clocks as special commissions.
Tallcase Clock with Seconds Dial and Segmental Calendar
Willard, Jr., Benjamin (1743–1803)
HC0130
Grafton or Roxbury, Massachusetts, circa 1785
Willard Jr.
Willard Jr.
Crafted in the English tradition, this tallcase clock includes some features of the Boston School, such as the three brass finials. The painted dial, signed Benj. Willard, has an American eagle surrounded by a wreath in the arch. The dial is attached to the movement without a false plate, an American feature. A corner is cut from the front plate, indicating reuse of brass.
The United States adopted the American bald eagle as its symbol in 1782.
Massachusetts Shelf Clock
Willard, Aaron (1757–1844)
HC0101
Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1820
Willard
Willard
Aaron Willard produced many shelf clocks like this one with great success throughout his career, until about 1835. His brother Simon Willard was the inventor of this style, but abandoned it in favor of the banjo clock, leaving Aaron to supply this lucrative market. He added improvements and stylistic changes, such as reverse painted glass panels with scenes (introduced by him around 1810). Note the concave “dish” dial. Aaron was the largest producer of the “dish” dial version of the Massachusetts shelf clock.
Mantel Clock with Bronze Figures
Ansonia Clock Co. (1851–1929)
HC0145
New York, New York, circa 1890
Ansonia Clock Co.
Ansonia Clock Co.
An ornate eight day time and strike mantel clock by Ansonia Clock Co. with bronze figures representing music and literature.
Ansonia’s French revival-style clocks were extremely popular. Produced in a wide array of subject matter, they were perceived as the height of fashion in the late Victorian era. This clock with its classical figures and music and literature motifs was most likely placed in a library or music room of a fashionable home.
Ebonized "Hickory-Dickory" Mouse Clock, Model No. 1
New Haven Clock Company
HC0050
New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1909
New Haven Clock Company
New Haven Clock Company
None
Art Nouveau Gilt Sculptural Mantel Clock
New Haven Clock Company
HC0048
New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1900
New Haven Clock Company
New Haven Clock Company
The movement of this clock has an anchor escapement and rack striking on a gong. The gilt-metal case has a naturalistically shaped base in the Art Nouveau tradition, with two gracefully shaped supports placed in front of a relief of a woman.
Art Nouveau (“new art” in French) was an art and decorative arts style popular around 1890–1910. As a response to the realism of 19th century art, Art Nouveau was inspired by natural forms, using graceful, fluid, curved lines. Its influence included the decorative arts, jewelry, graphic arts, architecture, furniture, and household items.
Crystal Regulator Mantel Clock
Ansonia Clock Co. (1851–1929)
HC0047
New York, New York, circa 1890
Ansonia Clock Co.
Ansonia Clock Co.
Two-piece dial is signed Ansonia Clock Co. New York. Visible Brocot escapement. Porcelain case with four glass sides, ornate polychrome flowers on green and pink background.
The “crystal regulator” was a popular style for Ansonia, in porcelain painted cases, metal cases and other variations, although they were not “crystal” and they were not “regulators”. These clocks were stylish additions to homes, reflecting current fashion and homage to what Americans considered superior European style.
Mahogany Year-Going Mantel Timepiece
Year Clock Company
HC0049
New York, circa 1945
Year Clock Company
Year Clock Company
Mahogany and glazed portico frame with a compartment in the back of the top pediment to hold the key. Escapement is visible through skeletonized spokes from the front.
A clock that will run for a full year on one winding is no small feat. Some manufacturers used massive springs to achieve this result. The power in these springs was extremely strong and posed a danger if released quickly, limiting their appeal.
Very little is known about the Year Clock Co. It is often confused with the Year Clock Company of forty years earlier that made A. D. Crane’s year-going clocks. Year Clock Co. appears to have been in business for a short period of time from about 1903–1906. The few clocks known under their name are of high quality.