51.              $400

Early Boston-area banjo, ca. 1840.  A 32-inch walnut-cased banjo stamped ‘42’ on the box frame and door frame, with three old glasses.  The carved wooden side-arms are period, the wooden finial a later replacement.  The dial glass is a likely replacement as it is not puttied into place, while the throat and box glasses match and are likely original, with period reverse-painted and gold leaf decorations.  The background on the tablet has been touched up.   The painted iron dial has been touched up and is held in place by L-turns; the hands are period. The unsigned 8-day, time-only movement is running strongly, driven by a lead weight; the pendulum rod and bob are period, the tie-down is missing the clip.  My consignor tells me this was likely made by John Sawin or his group.  A very nice example; I like the original glasses.  $400-$600.

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Antique American Clocks                     January 2023