A rare mahogany Grafton Wall Clock, by Simon Willard, circa 1785.
This rare early form, produced in Grafton, Massachusetts, is shaped to emulate a bracket clock resting upon a shelf or plinth. The brass thirty hour movement has a passing strike with silvered bell and comma form hammer. A decorative rope bezel surrounds the dial which is inscribed by the maker "Simon Willard" Above the center arbor is inscribed a motto "Ab Hoc Momento Pendant AEternitus", which translates "On this moment hangs eternity".
Provenance: Collection of Mr. G. Winthrop Brown
Illustrated"Colonial Furniture in America", Volume II; Luke Vincent Lockwood, 1926. Page 292, Figure 856 -"The Clock Book" Wallace Nutting; Figure 24 - "The Book of American Cocks", Brooks Palmer, 1979, Figure 106
Overall height" 25 1/2', Width: 8 3/4", Diameter of dial 5'