This exceptional antique tall case clock by Aaron Willard is accompanied by a single family provenance originating with the Nineteenth Century Nantucket whaling captain Eben Baker. The dial is among the earliest Boston-made examples, with painted harbor scenes on the dial hemispheres attributed to painter John Minott. At this date most dials were produced in England with terrestrial map transfers on the hemispheres. This example is boldly signed on each side of the center arbor, "AARON WILLARD". The rectangular base panel has a line inlaid border with quarter fans at each corner above ogee bracket feet. This particular style of ogee bracket foot, with an inward flaring base, is a form closely identified with clocks manufactured in Roxbury at the end of the 18th Century.
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