Clock (Wall clock)

Museum Object Number 1957.1062

Object Name

Clock (Wall clock)

Category

Clocks, Watches, and Scientific Instruments

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Lemuel Curtis (Probable maker)

Joseph Dyar (Probable maker)

Simon Willard (Inspiration for design)

Creator Notes

Lemuel Curtis apprenticed with the Willard family of clockmakers, probably with Simon Willard (a relative through his mother's sister) in his home town of Roxbury, Massachusetts. He established a business in Concord, Massachusetts. In 1816 he applied for a patent for an improved timepiece (see example 1967.1449). Lemuel moved from Boston to Bennington, Vermont ca. 1818 or 1822. He partnered with Joseph N. Dunning. Edward LaFond speculated that the eglomise painting on the clock and painting on the dial was created by Lemuel's brothers Samuel and Benjamin. Benjamin worked in Boston (ca. 1818-1827), then in Burlington, Vermont ca. 1828-1830. Samuel worked in Boston (with Spencer Nolen) from 1806 until ca. 1845.RELATIONS: BENJAMIN WILLARD (OLDER BROTHER); AARON WILLARD (YOUNGER BROTHER); PAUL REVERE (BUSINESS PARTNER); ELNATHAN TABER (APPRENTICE)

Date of Birth

179017951753

Date of Death

185718501848

Place of Origin

Concord or Burlington, Massachusetts or Vermont, New England, United States, North America

Origin Notes

Origin possibly Concord, Massachusetts (1813-1818) or Burlington, Vermont (1818-1825).

Date

1813-1825

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Waist door, painted on glass; "WILLARD'S PATENT" painted in gold on red
2. Inscription; Lower case door, painted on glass; "ENTERPRIZE & BOXER" painted in gold
3. Inscription; Waist door, top; "XXXIII" chiseled
4. Inscription; Weight, sides; "L. Thorndike / 1807" and "Thorndike" etched, in script

Materials

Mahogany; Pine, white; Glass; Paint; Gilt; Metal; Brass; Lead; Iron

Dimensions (inches)

37.5 (H) , 10.063 (W) , 3.875 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

95.25 (H) , 25.56 (W) , 9.843 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW and OD at bottom of base.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Montgomery, Charles F., et al. 1966 American Furniture: The Federal Period, in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum.
• Published: no. 160.
[Book] Priddy, Sumpter. 2004 American Fancy: Exuberance in the Arts, 1790-1840.
• Published: fig. 111.
[Article] Wood, David F. 05//2001 Concord, Massachusetts, Clockmakers, 1811-1831. Antiques. (May): 762-769.
• Published: Plate IV, p. 766.