Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Clocks

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

to
44
362
1
1
361
1
3
233
109
2
2
5
62
95
61
15
7
443
367
289
265
262
219
179
161
129
106
69
51
35
33
20
18
10
278
157
93
93
60
229
117
259
105
70
64
50
Height
to
Width
to
363
363
363
25
24
22
19
14
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock With Black Dial, Made In Switzerland 1965
Located in Greven, DE
Atmos clock by Jaeger LeCoultre with black dial Switzerland Brass Year of manufacture 1965 Dimensions: H x W x D: 22 x 18 x 13.5 cm Description: Atmos V calibre 526 in a gold-plat...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

1990s Gorgeous Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette. Made in Swiss
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette with white dial in perfect condition, steel hands, roman hour markers on gold-plated frame. Made in Swiss. Quartz movement. Clock case ...
Category

1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate

Large extraordinary Mid Century Modern brass table clock by Atlanta Electric
Located in München, DE
Beautiful and very rare 1950s Atlanta Electric table clock. Made in Germany. Made entirely of solid brass in a very beautiful, typical mid-century design. Very good, clean, and well-...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

1980s Gorgeous Cartier Santos Alarm Clock Pendulette. Made in Swiss
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier Santos alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's in gold plated 18K. White enamel dial. Clock case numbered 7508 09...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate

1990s Gorgeous Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette. Made in Swiss
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette with white dial in perfect condition, steel hands, roman hour markers on gold-plated frame. Made in Swiss. Quartz movement. Clock case ...
Category

1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate

1990s Gorgeous Cartier Alarm Clock Pendulette. Made in France.
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Cartier alarm clock pendulette with white dial in perfect condition, steel hands, roman hour markers on gold-plated frame. Made in France. Quartz movement. Clock case...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate

1980s Gorgeous Cartier Romane Alarm Clock Pendulette. Made in Swiss
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Cartier Romane alarm clock pendulette. Made in Swiss. It's in gold plated 18K. White enamel dial. Clock case numbered 66021 . With case, ...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate

Rare Stainless Steel Table Clock, 1970
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Striking mid-century table clock, France, circa 1970. This elegant brushed stainless steel table clock embodies the chic Parisian avant-garde design. The clock’s sleek, minimalist de...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Stainless Steel

George Nelson Walnut Spike Clock by Howard Miller
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An Nelson walnut and painted white metal body spike clock with color coded minute and hour hands. An early electric model in great working condition , retains the original label and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Bent Teak Clock, 1970s, Kienzle, Western Germany
Located in Andernach, DE
Beautiful wall clock by Kienzle from bent Teak ply, in a pure 70s design by one of Germanys most renowned mid- and late century clock makers. Made in the late 60s, early 70s. Here w...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Swiss Gilt Brass & Lapis Lazuli Swiza 8 Day Alarm Clock, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous Mid-Century Swiza with 8-day movement and original 1960s alarm clock in a stunning combination of gilt brass and real lapis lazuli. This amazing piece was designed in Switze...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Metal, Gold Plate

Large Midcentury Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Germany, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
An impressive and large brass-and-glass Kienzle Chronoquartz Mid-Century Modern desk or table clock. This is the largest model available, standing 11 1/2 inches tall. In the style of...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage 'Pocket Watch' Wall Clock by Landex Royal Craft, Japan 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Japanese novelty wall clock in the shape of an old school pocket watch. Made by Landex Royal Craft in Japan circa 1970-80. Made from brass and bras...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Travel Alarm Clock Seiko, 1970s, Brass with Faux Leather Cover
Located in Bochum, NRW
This vintage Seiko alarm clock is a standout addition to any clock collection. With a reliable mechanical movement, this clock requires winding to function, offering an authentic vin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

1970s Astonishing Table Clock by Omodomo in Crystal. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing table clock by Omodomo in crystal. Made in Italy. It's in excellent condition and it works perfectly with battery (quartz mechanism) Dimensions: 6,69 x 2,75 x 2,75 ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Travel Alarm Clock Europa, Germany, 2 Jewels, Brass & Faux Leather Cover
Located in Bochum, NRW
This vintage Europa alarm clock is a standout addition to any clock collection. With a reliable mechanical movement, this clock requires winding to function, offering an authentic vi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Gilded Vintage Mid-Century Sunburst Starburst Wall Clock, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning original 1960s sunburst starburst wall clock. Featuring beautiful wood and composition sunburst surrounding illustrating perfectly the mood of the decade. It is in very good...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Composition, Metal

Vintage Hollywood Regency Brass walnut Wall Clock by Kienzle, Germany 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: wall clock Origin: Germany Producer: KIENZLE, Germany (marked on the wood) Age: 1950s Description: This original vintage wall clock was produced in the 1950s ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Modern George Nelson Diamond Clock
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Diamond Clock designed by George Nelson & Associates, and manufactured by Vitra. In excellent working condition, working on an AA battery. The George Nelson Diamond Clock ...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Travel alarm clock "Europe", 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock "Europe", 1950s Excellent original condition Brass with a red faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it has...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Traditional German Alarm Clock, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage traditional alarm clock. Manufactured by Junghans Company in Germany, circa 1960 In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Hourglass Murano Clear Ribbed Studio Art Glass Objects Venini Style
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An optical blown art glass hourglass with a ribbed surface by unknown artist.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Howard Miller Iconic Clock by George Nelson
Located in Riverdale, NY
Iconic and classic Howard Miller ball clock from the 1950's by George Nelson. Wonderful Atomic style with a central clock motif with 50's styl...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos "Embassy", Swiss Vintage Clock, manufactured 1969
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos VII "Embassy" Switzerland Gold-plated and lacquered brass Year of manufacture 1969 Dimensions: H x W x D: 22 x 17 x 11 cm Description: Rare Atmos VII "Emb...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage American Studio Craft Artist Made Round Turned Wood Sculptural Clock
Located in Troy, MI
One of a kind artist made petite round wooden wall clock Circa 1980s Mixed woods design beautifully turned with contrasting inlaid markers and finished with unique sculpted hands ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Wood

Swiss Prexim Hand Painted Wind-Up Alarm Clock 15 Jewels Swiss made
Located in Antwerp, BE
This Beautifully hand painted, antique Prexim Music Box Clock would be a beautiful addition to any home. The 15 Jewel, hand-win Swiss alarm clock does ...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative Mid-Century Modernist solid brass Kienzle Chronoquartz desk or table clock with a domed glass and a 7“ diameter world map clocks face and world time zones....
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Atmos Clock by Jaeger LeCoultre, Classique Design, Manufactured in 1950
Located in Greven, DE
Early Atmos clock from Jaeger LeCoultre Switzerland Brass, partly gold-plated Year of manufacture 1950 Dimensions: H x W x D: 23.5 x 21 x 16.5 cm Description: Atmos II in matt bru...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Travel Alarm Clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock from "Deluxe", Germany, circa 1960s Excellent original condition Brass and painted hart cover Still working It is marked Germany on the front of the clock. Tw...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s. Original condition. Brass with dark faux leather cover. Still working. Measures: open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Atlanta Electric Wall clock Germany 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Vintage Atlanta Electric Wall Clock . Brass with Pink enamel . Battery operated clockwork by Kienzle . Good working Clock . Normal wear and tear .
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Clock, Vendome from 1978
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Clock with Box and Papers Switzerland Brass gold plated Year of manufacture 1978 Dimensions: H x W x D: 24 x 21 x 16 cm. Description: Atmos Vendome calibre 526 with gold-plated base and fluted columns. White dial with Roman hours and Arabic minutes. Breguet hands. The Atmos Vendome was produced in several variations. With a gilded base or also with a marble base. The first Vendome appeared in 1962. The model offered here was manufactured by Jaeger LeCoultre under ref. number 5834 from 1973 to 1985. Serial number: 494564 Year of manufacture: 1978. Especially collectible with the original shipping box and papers. This timepiece was sold on 06.04.1979 at the Christ jewelry...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Wall Clock by CONDOR, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning wall clock made of Iron & brass. An eye catcher par excellence. Made in Germany. We have tested it and it works. Electric, battery operated clock.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Brass and Wood Sunburst Wall Clock by Atlanta Electric
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning wall clock made of metal, brass, wood & glass. An eye catcher par excellence. Made in Germany. We have tested it and it works. Electric, battery operated clock.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Mid Century Modern George Nelson Orange Ball Clock Model 4755
Located in Plainview, NY
An original George Nelson ( 1908- 1986) Mid Century Modern Ball Clock model 4755. This iconic clock features a distinctive and modern design with a mid-century aesthetic. The centr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Black and White Flip Clock Large Station, Factory Clock, 1970s, France
By Bodet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Timeless Bodet black and white flip-flap station clock designed by the company that has been equipping French and Belgium stations for their big clocks for several decades. They inform travelers of the time that is running! This pretty specimen from the 1970s and 80s will ensure your punctuality while offering a beautiful Industrial and modern look to your interior decor. The flip-flap clock...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Plastic, Lucite

Vintage Empire Art Products Atomic Era Mid Century Modern Wall Clock Set - 3 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Empire Art Products (USA, 1963) Atomic Era Mid Century Modern Wall Clock Set with Blue Accents - 3 Pc Set. Circa Mid 20th Century...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Wood

1950s mechanical Atlanta wall clock with a 10 day movement and a gong strike
Located in München, DE
Original Mid Century Modern mechanical wall clock from Atlanta. Made in Germany. With one 10-day clockwork and a gong strike every half hour and ...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage George Nelson & Associates Metal Spoke Wall Clock for Howard Miller
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-Century Modern wall clock designed by George Nelson & Associates for Howard Miller Clock Company. Produced in 1955, this piece was named the 'Spoke' clock model no. 2227. Operate...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Steel

Mid Century German Iron Wall Clock
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage European hand-wrought iron wall clock with blonde gold accents. German clockworks. Newly painted by Fleur de Lex in soft white with gilt Roman numerals.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron, Sheet Metal

Brutalist Wall / Table Clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Italy, 60
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Enamelled brutalist copper clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Laurana Rame D'Arte in Pesaro, Italy 1960s. Handcrafted on a copper base, enameled on fire with striking colors. The clock is working and in very good vintage condition. The back has a double hook to hang it on the wall or become a table clock...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Swatch Wall Clock Maxi 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Plastic

Travel alarm clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
2-day travel alarm clock by famous Swiss watch factory Jaeger-LeCoultre made in Swiss in the 1950s. Swiss manual winding movement. The lid folds down, allowing the alarm clock to be...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Roger Capron Wall Mounted Ceramic Clock, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Roger Capron wall mounted ceramic clock, circa 1960. By Roger Capron, signed. (France). In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful pa...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Ceramic

Caslon 601 Date Flip Clock by Copal, 70s Japan
By Copal Clock 1
Located in Den Haag, NL
One of the most elaborate flip clocks by Copal from Japan with day and date besides the time. This model 601 is in great shape and has a proper space age design with complete aluminu...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Aluminum

Frederic Weinberg Wall Clock/ Large Size
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Frederic Weinberg Wall Clock with Black Body and Arms and Coral Balls. Working Condition. This is the larger harder to find version of this classic Clock...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos Clock, Jubilé, manufactured in 1979
Located in Greven, DE
Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Jubilé Switzerland Gold-plated brass Year of manufacture 1979 Dimensions: H x W x D: 24 x 17 x 15 cm Description: Very rare Atmos clock, which was produce...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Teak Weather Station by Barigo, Germany, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish and sleek wall or table weather station with thermometer, barometer and hygrometer. Designed and made in Germany during the 1960'erne by Barigo. Measurements: W: 17.5 cm,...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Acrylic, Teak

Large Brass Table World Time Zone Clock by Kundo / Kieninger & Obergfell, 1970s
Located in München, BY
Large modernist brass table world time clock by Kundo / Kieninger & Obergfell, West Germany circa 1970s. Beautiful clock with a large 9-inch round dial in white with a gold world ma...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass, Metal

Grandfather green lacquer chinoiserie wood European Clock
By A. Santos, Portugal 1
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous Large grandfather clock, in excellent working order, Winsminster and Ave Maria Clock from the Portuguese house of the 19th century, "Reguladora", the oldest house in the Ibe...
Category

1950s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Imhof Midcentury Gilt Desk Clock and Weather Compendium
Located in London, GB
A midcentury gilt desk clock and weather compendium by Imhof. A stunning vintage timepiece that captures the elegance and style of midcentury design...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye Measured Time Clock and Timer
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Noguchi's first mass-produced design, completed circa 1932, predating his design for the "Radio Nurse" baby monitor by about five years. Produced...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal

Imhof mid century table clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Imhof mid-century table clock Enamel painted dial (represents a galleon) Manual winding (8 days of winding) 15 jewels Works properly Case number 12329 Circa 1960 Origin Switzerland M...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Wall Clock by TRICHTER in Brass, 1960s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Stunning sunburst wall clock made of brass, metal and glass. One of the most beautiful models I have seen to date. An eye catcher par excellence. M...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

George Nelson Mid Century Ball Clock in Brass and Wood
Located in Weesp, NL
Interestingly, while nearly all of the designs that came out of George’s studio were attributed to him, many were actually designed by him and his team. Some were even designed solely by someone else working at the studio. Nelson famously recounted the story of how the Ball Clock came to life in an interview decades after it’s release: “It was one of the really funny evenings. Noguchi came by, Bucky Fuller came by, and here was Irving, and here was I, and Noguchi - who can’t keep his hands off anything - he saw we were working on clocks and started making doodles. Then Bucky sort of brushed Isamu aside. He said, ‘This is a good way to do a clock’ and made some utterly absurd thing. Everybody was taking a crack at this, pushing each other aside and making scribbles. At some point we left – we were suddenly all tired, and we’d had a little bit too much to drink – and the next morning I came back, and here was this roll of paper, and Irving and I looked at it, and somewhere in this roll, there was a ball clock. I don’t know to this day who cooked it up.” Nevertheless, whoever it was that came up with George Nelson’s designs, it’s almost certain that they would never have come to fruition if it wasn’t for George’s vision and forward-thinking approach. Can you tell me more about his clocks? George’s clocks were one of his most impressive bodies of work. In total, he and his team designed over 130 clocks in just three decades. While it is widely accepted that Irving Harper was the lead designer for the Howard Miller Clock Company at George Nelson Associates, the collection arose after two insightful observations from George: one, that people no longer used the numbers to tell the time; and two, that since most people now used their wristwatch to tell the time, interior clocks were now free to become more decorative in nature. The clocks were designed and released in batches of 8 and were initially only given numbers for names. The Sunflower Clock was simply ‘Clock 2261’, the Flock of Butterflies Clock was 'Clock 2226’, and so on. The Ball was the first clock designed by George and his team and it was followed shortly after by the Star, Sunburst, Spindle, Asterisk, Turbine, Flock of Butterflies, Eye and others. The clocks were purposefully abstract and were designed to complement the modernist furniture emerging at the time. As well as wall clocks, George’s studio also produced a series of desk clocks during that time, most notably the bubble-shaped Night Desk...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Clocks

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Howard Miller, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Junghans Uhren GmbH, and George Nelson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $110 and tops out at $28,500 while the average work can sell for $1,007.

Recently Viewed

View All