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Banjo ClocksAntique Banjo Clock Auctions Banjo Clocks are very popular with collectors because they can be quite good looking clocks, are easy to maintain as well as easy to display, as long as you have enough wall! Going back to the beginning of the 1800s, a clock inventor by the name of Simon Willard who cam from Boston, Massachusetts, patented the design that became known as the "Banjo" because of its similarity in shape to the musical instrument. Although all banjo's have pretty much the same shape, the external decoration of the case can be a multitude of different decorative finishes, including ornate guilded cases and reverse-painted glass panels. In fact the glass panel (verre eglomisé) is normal on banjo clocks. Always make sure that this panel is not chipped or broken on these clocks, for if it is the value is affected considerably. If it has two panels then the value rises significantly.
Another version of the banjo you will come across is the Tavern Clock, the major distinguishing difference being that all Tavern clocks have a much bigger dial than American clocks, have 8-day movements and there is no reverse glass panel. No-one knows for sure where the idea for the shape of the banjo came from, but it is believed to echo the shape of English barometers. While these may have played a part in Willard's original design, the banjo is unique for its shapely design which may account for its popularity. Banjos in good condition are quite rare however and the rarity factor obviously plays a large part in their collectability. Some distinct things to look out for when buying a banjo clock are that the case is made from either Mahogany or Rosewood. These are the preferred woods, many will be veneered with rosewood but have mahogany main case, this is also perfectly acceptable. The dial is usually a convex shape with an enamel painted metal finish. Many of these clocks have additions like mercury thermometers added to the middle section and most have side railings linking the bottom 'box' which may be square or round, and the dial. You will find the movement made from steel and brass, the clock maker would have taken what was a fairly rough casting and honed it into the movement used in the clock. There was considerable work involved and the skill of the clock maker is well presented in the parts of the movement, all of which were hand-finished. Happy Collecting!
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All Banjo Clocks are weight driven and have most commonly lead weights or iron for the later models. They almost exclusively use the anchor escapement and almost all have no strinking mechanism, being used instead as reliable time keepers. 
