Art Deco

Art Deco is also known as ‘Style Moderne’. It was an art movement that originated in the 1920’s in Paris and deals with decorative arts and architecture. In the 1930’s Art Deco was developed as a major style in Western Europe.

The most conspicuous features of the art deco style include simplicity, clean shapes and streamlined looks. There is a strong emphasis on symmetry and geometry without losing appeal to the eye.

Similar to art nouveau, the art deco style is a modern style that tries to blend functional objects with artistic touches. The art deco style creates an anti-traditional appeal that brings out meaning and beauty.

Clock design was heavily influenced in the 1920’s and 1930’s by the art deco style, a machine like aesthetic for a fast paced industrial age. The cases often echoed the geometric architecture of the day. The French and Swiss were the leading producers of art deco clocks. The French excelled with highly decorative examples made of marble, onyx, brass, glass and chrome. Many were paired with bronze or gilded figurines or animals as decoration.

An art deco clock is a stylish addition to any room. All of the most well known art deco designers lent their designs to clocks contributing to the wonderful legacy of timepieces left to us from the 1920’s and 1930’s.

The most opulent clocks were made of precious stones such as agate, lapis lazuli, jade, crystal, gold and silver and were decorated with enamels and even diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphire . Famous names such as Cartier and Tiffany were especially well known for luxury art deco clocks.

A large number of art deco clocks have undergone a great deal of alteration over the years and as such prices of mantel clocks are influenced by condition, originality and authenticity. The best advice which applies to buying an art deco clock is to be vigilant and seek the advice of a reputable experienced dealer.

We supply a wide range of Art Deco clocks here at Olde Time. We have a huge choice with each clock more unique than the next.

ART DECO CLCOK MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

In order to keep your art deco clock looking as good as new here are some maintenance guidelines:

Keep the clock out of direct sunlight and avoid excessive hot or cold temperatures.

When cleaning surrounding areas, avoid moving the clock around. If the clock has to be moved be very careful to either remove the pendulum or keep it as still as possible and move the clock slowly so as to avoid damage to the movement.

A weekly feather dusting or cleaning the casework with a mild natural beeswax or crystalline wax will help to remove fingerprints and a build up of dust from the case (crystalline wax is available to buy from Olde Time and is a mixture of refined waxes blended to a formula used by the British Museum to revive and protect valuable furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble etc.)

Never use household cleaners or abrasives of any kind to clean any part of the clock.

An antique art deco clock should only be cleaned and overhauled by a specialist restorer. Never attempt to clean or repair an antique clock yourself.