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Description: N/A This banjo clock is a version of the ``improved timepiece'' patented in 1802 by Simon Willard (1753-1848), the prolific Roxbury, Massachusetts clockmaker. The brass works are inscribed ``Made by E. Taber Roxbury 1804.'' Elnathan Taber (1768-1854) was a Roxbury clockmaker who served his apprenticeship under Simon Willard and, although he had his own shop, made many clocks for both Simon and Aaron Willard. This example, dated 1804, was made two years after Willard's patent. This clock is the only known Boston banjo clock with (original) églomisé panels depicting the New York State Coat of Arms. A Taber clock with a similar case and less elaborate eglomise panels is illustrated in John Ware Willard, Simon Willard and his Clocks, 1968, pl 35. Another with an églomisé panel decorated with Aurora or Colombia drawn by two horselike beasts is at Winterthur Museum and illustrated in Charles Montgomery, American Furniture, The Federal Period, 1966, no. 162, p. 207-8. Other nearly identical clocks by Simon Willard are illustrated in John Ware Willard, pls. 20-22. Literature: Israel Sack Inc. American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection. Volume VI, P4718, p. 1574.

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Provenance: Ex-collection Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Taradash.