Wall Clock 1772 - 1782

Here we have a wall clock, crafted by Aaron Willard sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The clock stands as a testament to Willard's skill, but also to the intricate dance between artistry and commerce in early America. During this period, clockmaking was not just about telling time; it was about marking status. A beautifully crafted clock signified wealth and taste, qualities highly valued in a burgeoning nation. It’s impossible to ignore the economic context of this time. While artisans like Willard were creating objects of beauty, enslaved people were being forced to labor, their time and lives brutally commodified. This juxtaposition invites reflection on the complex layers of American history, where progress and prosperity were often built on injustice. Consider how this clock, a symbol of order and precision, existed within a society grappling with profound inequality. It serves as a reminder that objects, however beautiful, are never divorced from the social and political realities of their time.