ANTIQUE FRENCH ART NOUVEAU MANTLE CLOCK PRAYING FARMERS

In overall very good condition. Antique and vintage items by their very nature are used items and will show signs of normal wear due to age and use. As we define 'very good condition' relative to the stated age of the piece, we would expect to see 'character marks' consistent with that age and could include minor nicks or dings to a wooden or metal object, minor wear to a painted surface, minor speckling on a mirror, light crazing or small manufacturing glaze skips in ceramic finish, or slight wear to a label. If ceramic/porcelain restoration has been done, it is of museum-quality so that it is hardly discernable and would be mentioned in the listing. 'Very good condition' would not include chips or cracks in any glass or ceramic item.

ITEM SPECIFICS

There is a small crack in the spelter on the back of the clock and there is normal wear to the finish due to age and use. The set key is missing in the works.

ART NOUVEAU STYLE

The free-flowing Art Nouveau style has its roots in two significant influences that were popular at the end of the 19th century in Europe: the focus on hand-craftsmanship from the Arts and Crafts movement and a fascination with the decorative arts from Japan, known as Japonisme. Eventually the name for the decorative arts produced during this brief period of time from roughly 1890 to 1920 came to be known as the Art Nouveau style, which had a large sweeping influence across Europe and the US.

Hallmarks of the opulent and sensuous Art Nouveau style are swirling, fluid, curvilinear lines used rhythmically and repetitively and a great emphasis on natural, organic forms and motifs, such as vines, tendrils, roses, tulips, poppies, peonies, and wisteria. This style was born out of an emphasis on hand-craftsmanship and Art Nouveau designs required highly skilled artists, which resulted in significantly higher price tags. As the middle classes were enamored with the Revival styles, the very wealthy desired a new, modern style that was only available to those with significant disposable income.

Perhaps the most famous Art Nouveau artist is the American Louis Comfort Tiffany, whose father, Charles Tiffany, opened a swanky jewelry store in Manhattan in 1834. Louis Tiffany traveled to Europe and was greatly impressed with the modern Art Nouveau style, but was equally fascinated with the mosaic art he saw in Italy. His stained glass creations, including window panels and lamps (beautiful lampshades were needed to shade the new invention, the light bulb), have become known as Tiffany glass and carry phenomenal prices today. The iridescent poor man version of Tiffany glass became known as Carnival glass.

SPELTER

Spelter is the nonscientific name for the mineral zinc. Zinc alloys with smaller amounts of aluminum, magnesium, copper, lead, and tin are useful for die-casting. This material is sometimes referred to as pot metal or white metal, and its primary advantage is that it is quick and easy to cast due to its low melting temperature.

MANTEL CLOCK / GARNITURE MANTEL CLOCK

Mantel clocks are relatively small, moveable clocks traditionally placed on a shelf, or mantel, above the fireplace. The form, first developed in France in the 1750s, can be distinguished from earlier clocks of similar size due to a lack of carrying handles. A Garniture Mantel clock is a three-piece set, which features a clock in the middle with two garnitures, or decorative sidepieces. Mantel clocks are often highly ornate, decorative works.