Banjo Type Wall Clock Made by Simon Willard, 1805-1810

Simon Willard's "Improved Timepiece," patented in 1802, was a completely new American clock style. Willard employed skilled artisans to make and decorate his clocks, from brass workers to woodworkers to dial painters. This clock style was later popularly known as a "banjo clock" because of its shape. The brass, weight-powered movement had to be rewound by hand after eight days.