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Lighthouse clock

Movement by: Simon Willard (American, 1753–1848)
about 1826–30
Object Place: Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States

Medium/Technique Mahogany, pine, tin, glass
Dimensions Overall: 63.5 x 29.2 x 23.5 cm (25 x 11 1/2 x 9 1/4 in.)
Overall: 68 cm (26 3/4 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Philip Spalding, Oakes Ames Spalding and Hobart Ames Spalding in memory of Philip Leffingwell Spalding
Accession Number50.3434
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsFurnitureClocks

Catalogue Raisonné Randall 213
DescriptionThis lighthouse clock has a deep rectangular base with mitred corners on the front. The door is veneered with crotch mahogany and the projecting top and base have rounded edges. From a brass collar at the base rises a tapering cylinder of tin, enameled black, which is painted in a gold oval on the front with the maker's name. A brass collar at the top supports the glass bell. The face is enameled white with black Roman numerals, and the hands have pierced circles below the points. The movement has an alarm mechanism, for which there is a brass dial on the face. The movement and other visible parts are brass, and the clock is capped with four brass paw feet and there is a brass ring handle to fasten the door.

The door is veneered on pine, and the remainder of the case is solid mahogany. The glass bell is a replacement.
InscriptionsPainted on front in a gold oval: "Simon / Willard / ROXBURY"

On the inside of the door is the inscription of a nineteenth-century clock repairer: "Otis Hilbon Mitford March 10-46 / Mar 13 - 51"
Provenance1950, Gift of Philip Spalding, Oakes Ames Spalding and Hobart Ames Spalding in memory of Philip Leffingwell Spalding (Accession Date November 9, 1950)