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Vintage Italian Pocket Watch Shaped Brass Box
$850
£638.54
€736.34
CA$1,179.49
A$1,310.67
CHF 686.80
MX$16,073.02
NOK 8,759.79
SEK 8,240.89
DKK 5,495.76
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About the Item
A playful and finely crafted brass hinged box, formed in the shape of an oversized pocket watch and stamped “Made in Italy” near the rear bezel. Constructed entirely from solid brass, including the interior lining, the piece has a satisfying weight and a glowing, unified surface that reflects the elegance and material rigor of mid-century Italian design.
This box is more than a functional container—it belongs to the whimsical tradition of object-as-art, closely associated with designers like Piero Fornasetti, who elevated familiar forms through wit, proportion, and classical references. Like much of Fornasetti’s work, this piece embraces a kind of elegant surrealism, turning a utilitarian pocket watch into a sculptural decorative object.
The design also nods to the emerging spirit of Pop Art in the 1950s and 60s—where artists and designers celebrated and subverted everyday forms by exaggerating scale, context, or material. This transformation of a personal, portable timepiece into a monumental, stationary object feels both ironic and reverent, making it a brilliant addition to an interior that embraces visual storytelling.
Boxes like this were often sold through upscale Italian ateliers and luxury retailers, appealing to a cosmopolitan clientele who appreciated craft, concept, and conversation. Today, it serves as a statement object on a desk, shelf, or cocktail table, bridging eras and styles—just as at home in a Fornasetti-filled interior as in a restrained, minimalist space that craves a touch of humor and history.
A rare and collectible example of mid-century Italian decorative arts, combining form, function, and a wink of intellectual playfulness.
- Dimensions:Height: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. a few small dings and an impressed area to lid.
- Seller Location:Kilmarnock, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU88301247276
About the Seller
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