31.       $1250

William Cummens banjo, ca. 1830.  Cummens was an apprentice of Simon Willard in Roxbury; his banjos are very similar to Willard’s but often a bit more decorative, including a signed dial, as found here.  The mahogany case, including the backboard, is 33 inches long with gilt framing and a gilt acorn finial; no cabinetmaker’s lot numbers are evident.  Cummens favored mustard yellow backgrounds on his glasses and trim barbed arrow hands; while the hands on this clock are original, as is the paint and signature on the iron dial, I believe the glasses were replaced and repainted in the last century (the dial glass also appears to be modern).  The 8-day time-only movement matches other movements made by Cummens, including the T-bridge, the small straight click-pawl, and the weight cord tie-off pin on the lower left post.  It will only run under the best of conditions and will be very difficult to get running reliably.  Note that the Roman numeral XXXXVII is stamped into the pendulum keyhole.  The duck bill lead weight is correct.  In 2018 Cottone’s sold three similar Cummens banjos for $1400, $2200, and $2500.  $1400-$2000.