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David Williams

Patent Timepiece, ca. 1815-1820

Now On View

Description

Maker

  • David Williams, 1769-1823, American

Title

Patent Timepiece

Year

ca. 1815-1820

Medium

Mahogany, pine, reverse-painted glass, 8-day brass movement

Materials/Techniques

Materials

  • glass,
  • mahogany,
  • pine,
  • paint,
  • brass (alloy),
  • brass (alloy)

Dimensions

109.2 x 27.3 x 15.2 cm (43 x 10 3/4 x 6 inches)

Place

Newport; Rhode Island

Type

  • Decorative Arts,
  • Furniture

Credit

Museum purchase: Bequest of Eliza Taft, by exchange

Object Number

2003.74

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Making It In America

October 11, 2013 - February 9, 2014

Typically referred to as a banjo clock due to its similarity in shape to the musical instrument, this style of wall clock was developed by brothers Aaron and Simon Willard, who patented the design in hope of securing all profits. However, as this more affordable and compact form gained popularity over traditional tall case clocks, banjo clocks were soon made by other makers. Far from direct copies, banjo clocks by Rhode Island makers, including David Williams of Newport, were made with improved internal mechanisms for superior performance.

A true celebration of American symbols, the clock’s reverse-painted glass panels (verre églomisé) feature an eagle, a Federal shield, and a scene of a waterfront mansion, while the whole is crowned by a gilded eagle.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Patent Timepiece with the accession number of 2003.74. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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