"Balloon" Shelf Clock

Simon Willard American

Not on view

Simon Willard experimented with the production of economical, 30-hour shelf clocks for the mass market and obtained patents that were widely pirated by his contemporaries. This shelf clock is an exceedingly rare form, being the sole example with a brass dial signed by Simon Willard. The unusual balloon-shaped case bears similarities to eighteenth-century, French bracket clocks. Folklore associated with this clock perpetuated the myth that Willard may have taken inspiration from the first successful ascension of a hot-air balloon launched in France, in 1783, by brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier. Willard’s direct influence by this historic event remains unconfirmed.

Simon Willard (1753–1848), Mahogany, pine; brass, iron, steel, lead, synthetic cord (modern), American

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Simon Willard (1753–1848), Mahogany, pine; brass, iron, steel, lead, synthetic cord (modern), American
Simon Willard (1753–1848), Mahogany, pine; brass, iron, steel, lead, synthetic cord (modern), American
Simon Willard (1753–1848), Mahogany, pine; brass, iron, steel, lead, synthetic cord (modern), American
Simon Willard (1753–1848), Mahogany, pine; brass, iron, steel, lead, synthetic cord (modern), American

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