This handsome clock is a superb example of the time pieces produced in Concord during the first quarter of the 19th Century. These clocks are typically highly ornamented with gilt rope moldings and presentation drop brackets along with wonderfully decorated reverse painted glasses. The decorations commonly include patriotic images from the War of 1812. This example includes one of the most recognizable images of the war, the engagement of The USS Constitution and The HMS Guerriere. The Constitution was commanded by Captain Isaac Hull and the battle has earned his name “Hull’s Victory”. This image has been reproduced on many clocks over the past two centuries, but original examples, like this, are very rare. This successful clock form was patented by Simon Willard in 1802 as the “Improved Timepiece” but is more commonly referred to as a “banjo” clock. This example is in fine original condition with original glasses and gilding. The case is mounted with a mahogany plinth set with a brass ball-and-spire finial with a Greek key band. This is above a glazed dial door with a molded brass bezel, that opens to a painted iron dial with Roman numerals to demark the hour. The center arbor is mounted with the original steel “moon-form” hands. A single winding hole is above and to the right of the center arbor. The dial is signed “Warranted by J. Dyar” Pierced brass sidearms, with diamond-form spacers, flank a tapered trapezoidal throat panel with gilt block and rope moldings. The panel has a cascading foliate and ribbon motif within a leaf and diamond border all on a red background. The lower tablet has matching moldings and borders around an oak leaf frame with a black ground. Within this frame is a highly detail depiction of the engagement of two warships, one flies and American flag and the other a British flag. At center is a patriotic shield–form oculus above the image’s title “Hull”. The base of the clock has a tapered gilt bracket with an acorn-form drop.

Height with finial: 41”; Width 10”; Depth 4”

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