George Hatch Banjo Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This banjo clock is attributed to George Hatch (1817-1879) of Attleboro, Massachusetts. The object features a mahogany case characterized by rounded frames and a turned wooden bezel.
The timekeeping is regulated by a brass eight-day weight-driven movement, which includes a cast iron weight and a brass pendulum. The dial is constructed of iron with original paint and Roman numerals, although it remains unsigned. The clock is decorated with original gilt-painted tablets, with the lower tablet displaying evidence of touch-up paint. A distinctive feature is the brass acorn located on the weight baffle, intended to indicate a plum position.
Measuring 29 inches in length, the clock is accompanied by an original key and a historical note documenting its provenance in the Leicester Post Office until 1911. The attribution to Hatch is based on these technical and physical characteristics despite confusion with other makers of the form.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Banjo clock
- Maker
- George Hatch
- Movement
- 8-day weight driven
- Dimensions
- 29 inches long
- Provenance
- Leicester Post Office
- Case Material
- Mahogany
- Dial Material
- Iron
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- George Hatch
Design
- Visible features
- • Mahogany case with turned wooden bezel • Brass acorn on weight baffle • Iron dial with Roman numerals • Gilt-painted tablets on throat and base
- Movement and Dial
- The timekeeping mechanism consists of a brass eight-day weight-driven movement. This system utilizes a cast iron weight and a brass pendulum to drive the hands. A specific feature identified on the movement is a brass acorn situated on the weight baffle, which serves to indicate a plum position for the weight. The dial is composed of iron and features painted Roman numerals. While the clock is unsigned, the overall design and internal components are attributed by the auction house to George Hatch of Attleboro, Massachusetts. The iron dial shows signs of age, specifically described as having slight paint loss. The clock includes its original key for winding and adjustment purposes.
- Case and Aesthetic Features
- The clock is housed in a mahogany case following the established banjo form, which includes a rounded bezel and rounded frames. The aesthetic presentation relies on gilt-painted glass tablets located on the throat and the lower section of the case. The auction description confirms these gilt-painted tablets are considered original to the piece, though it notes that the lower tablet has undergone localized touch-ups. The clock assembly measures 29 inches in height, with a 9-inch diameter for the top section and an 11-inch width for the bottom section. The physical design reflects the popularization of the banjo clock form by earlier makers such as the Willards, as well as Howard and Davis. The construction incorporates a turned wooden bezel framing the dial.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The object includes an old note, referred to as a 'granny note,' which provides context regarding its history. The note states that the clock was owned by Lunan Thurston and resided in the Leicester Post Office until his death in 1911. While the source notes that the object was once considered a Howard clock, current cataloguing attributes the manufacture to George Hatch, noting that Hatch's work is often confused with that of Howard. The provided documentation regarding the Leicester Post Office provides a historical record of the clock's service prior to the early 20th century, adding to the provenance of the piece.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Maker attribution is based on design characteristics and not a signature
- Research required: Lower glass tablet paint noted as having been touched up