Architect and designer Kem Weber arrived in the United States in the vanguard of a wave of progressive Central European talents — among them, Rudolph Schindler, Richard Neutra, Paul T. Frankl and Ilonka Karascz — who would profoundly affect the course of modernism in the United States. In his new home, Weber created a wholly American form of modern design that is sleek and stylish, yet comfortable and practical.
Karl Emanuel Martin Weber — “Kem” was his self-styled nom d’usage — was born and trained in Berlin. In 1914, he became an accidental immigrant to the U.S.. Sent to San Francisco by his teacher-turned-employer, architect Bruno Paul, to oversee an installation at a global design expo, Weber was marooned by the outbreak of World War I. But he quickly grew to love California, even if his early years there were difficult. When design commissions were hard to find, he took jobs as a lumberjack, chicken farmer and art school teacher. (He gained U.S. citizenship in 1924.)
In the mid-1920s, while working for the Los Angeles–based Barker Bros. department store — the largest furniture retailer in the country at the time — Weber regularly traveled around the nation to deliver lectures on modernism. His reputation as a champion of a new, clean and elegant style earned him architectural commissions and contracts to design furniture and items such silverware, coffee services and cocktail shakers. His masterpiece is the Airline lounge chair, designed 1934-1935. With its raked, gently angular frame and cantilevered seat, the chair suggests movement, speed and forward progress. Though it seemed perfect for mass production, Weber was never able to convince a major manufacturer to take it on. In the end, fewer than 300 Airline chairs were made. Today, those may be the rarest examples of Weber’s work, but are always worth looking out for. As you will see on these pages, his designs are both intelligent and stylish. They deserve to be a part of any serious collection of American modernism.
$3,575Sale Price|35% Off
1930 Art Deco Silver Plate & Marble Model 975 Digital Mantel Clock by Lawson
By Kem Weber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An early circa 1930s cyclometer model 975 electric digital clock housed in a wonderful silver architectural case with stepped chromed Art Deco accents and a marble base.The Lawson Ta...
Onyx, Silver Plate, Brass
$4,475
H 3.5 in W 8 in D 3.25 in
Art Deco Lawson Model P-40 "Zephyr" Streamlined Copper & Brass Electric Clock
By Lawson
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional Art Deco Lawson Model P-40 streamlined digital electric clock, crafted in America circa 1935, embodies the bold, futuristic aesthetic of the Machine Age era. Designe...
Brass, Copper
Art Deco ATO Mantel Clock
By ATO
Located in Norwich, GB
Art deco ATO clock standing on a three tiered Bakelite base supporting a glass dial with Art Deco style chrome numerals and chrome chapter ring. The movement is powered by a 1.5...
Chrome
French Art Deco, Mantel Clock, Marble, Onyx, Gilt, France, 1930s
Located in Stamford, CT
French Art Deco, Mantel Clock, Marble, Onyx, Gilt, France, 1930s A French deco mantel clock depicting "Diana the Huntress," likely originating from 1930s France. Marble, Onyx, Gilt...
Onyx, Marble
Art Deco Mantel Clock
By Kienzle Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
Original condition, perfect working Softwood covered with nutveneer attributed to Kienze
Nutwood, Softwood
$2,980
H 12.6 in W 14.57 in D 4.34 in
1920s -1930s Art Deco Mantel Clock - in wonderful restored condition
By Marti
Located in Greven, DE
Art Deco Mantel Clock France Marble, Metal Art Deco around 1930 Dimensions: H × W × D: 32 × 37 × 11 cm Description: Representative French pendule in an expressive design from the ...
Marble, Metal
Art Deco Chrome Mantel Clock by Davall, England
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Deco chrome mantel clock standing bon double stepped pad feet in a square case with bevelled glass. Black velvet dial mask, silvered chapter ring with Arabic numerals and or...
Chrome
Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Classic Art Deco mantle clock standing on a beige marble base with black inserts. A gilded dog is leaping over the clock. Gilded dial with ‘Deco’ numerals and original ‘Deco’ han...
Marble
Large French Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Vienna, AT
French Art Deco marble mantel clock still in original condition. Bronzed metal, ivory imitation and various types of stone, in the...
Marble, Brass
Art Deco Electric Bakerlite Mantel Clock
By Temco
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Deco timepiece Art Deco electric timepiece in a light green and black Bakelite case standing on rectangular shaped feet and resting on a stepped two color plinth. Square di...
Bakelite
$4,409 / set
H 12.6 in W 14.18 in D 5.91 in
French Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock with Garnitures, UCRA, circa 1930
Located in Antwerp, BE
French Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock with Garnitures, UCRA, circa 1930 A striking French Art Deco clock set, circa 1930, comprising a central marble mantel clock and two matching garnitures. The architectural case is crafted from richly colored marbles in deep red, cream, ochre, and black veining, arranged in bold geometric patterns typical of the Art Deco period. The clock features a brass-framed dial signed UCRA and retains its original winding key. The set stands out as a highly decorative and sculptural ensemble, perfect for a mantel, console, or sideboard. France, circa 1920–1930 Signed on the dial: UCRA Original mechanical 8-day movement, key included Dimensions (clock): 14.2″ W × 12.4″ H × 5.9″ D (36 × 31.5 × 15 cm) – approx. 16 kg Dimensions (each garniture): 8.1″ H × 4.6″ W × 4.3″ D (20.5 × 11.7 × 11 cm) – approx. 4 kg each Total weight: approx. 24 kg Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and small edge chips consistent with age and material. French Art Deco · Marble Clock...
Marble, Brass
Art Deco Mantel Clock, French Marble & Brass, Elegant 1920s Design
Located in High Point, NC
This 1920-1929 Art Deco mantel clock from France is worked in cool white and gray marble, finished with warm gold brass accents. Its design carries the Art Deco idiom through in its ...
Marble, Brass
1930s Modernist Art Deco Mantel Clock
Located in Marseille, FR
1930s modernist Art Deco mantel clock in onyx. Hunter and antelope on the front.
Onyx, Marble
KEM Weber Model 304 "Zephyr" Digital Clock by Lawson, circa 1934
By Kem Weber, Lawson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Art Deco / Streamline design,, Cast aluminum and brass .. Machine Age design electric clock designed in the 1930s. stylized numbers in a digital form with the seconds wheel....
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 4 in W 13 in D 4 in
Art Deco Silver and Marble Digital Mantel Clock Model 975 by Lawson, Circa 1930
By Kem Weber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An early circa 1930s cyclometer model 975 electric digital clock housed in a wonderful silver architectural case with stepped chromed art deco accents and a marble base. Introducing...
Onyx, Silver Plate, Brass
KEM Weber Model 304 "Zephyr" Copper Digital Clock by Lawson, circa 1934
By Kem Weber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Great design burnished bronze and brass with ivory enameled trim fantastic Machine Age design electric clock designed in the 1930s. Great Art Deco stylized numbers in a digital form ...
Copper