Shelf Clock 1790 - 1800

This shelf clock was crafted by Aaron Willard, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century, using mahogany, white pine, and glass, among other materials. What makes this clock interesting is how it brings together diverse skills. Notice the elegant cabinetmaking, with its precisely joined wooden elements, alongside the delicate glass face and the intricate metalwork of the clock's mechanism. These were separate crafts at the time, each with its own traditions and expertise. Willard's clock represents the beginnings of industrialization. Clocks like this, while still made with considerable hand work, also involved a degree of standardization. The clock’s design reflects a society increasingly concerned with schedules and efficiency. By appreciating the labor and materials involved, we see how this object bridges the worlds of craft and commerce.