Rare Mantel Clock

This rare gilt bronze Mantel Clock dates from the 1920s and may have been designed to coordinate with Tiffany’s “Art Deco” or “Art Moderne” Desk Set.

Featuring the original etched doré patina, the arched body of the clock is supported by a wide stepped base. The flat planes on the front of the body are decorated with recessed linear designs enhanced by inset vitreous enamel in shades of deep blue with hints of pink and red throughout. The round clock face is highly decorated: the Roman numerals, in low relief, are framed by stylized cartouches inset with both deep blue and copper enamel, while the dial around the edge features the same color palette with dark blue triangles marking each hour. The minute hand and the hour hand are distinctly shaped and may have been inspired by peacock feathers, accented by inset blue and copper enamel; the base of the hour hand is a stylized flower with pointed petals and inset deep blue enamel.

The clock retains the original movement by the Chelsea Clock Company and remains fully functional, chiming multiple times on the hour and once on the half hour.

The dial is impressed with the Louis C. Tiffany Furnaces, Inc. logo, while the underside of the clock is impressed with firm’s marks and model number.

Height: 10 inches (25 cm)
Width: 10 ½ inches (27 cm)
Depth: 5 ¼ inches (13 cm)

Reference:
Martin Eidelberg and Nancy McClelland, Behind the Scenes of Tiffany Glassmaking: The Nash Notebooks, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2001, pg. 119