Popular Art Deco clocks
The “brave new world” of the Art Deco period combined functionality with simplicity, and beauty with elegance. For this reason, retro gifts evoking the Art Deco look of the 1920s and 1930s are eternally popular. Retro clocks, especially, make excellent nostalgic gifts for all age groups. Instantly evocative, but never kitsch, they fit into any interior décor scheme, be it traditional or modern.
Art Deco had a number of influences – a major one being the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, in 1922. Egyptian design was a direct influence on the towering pyramid spires of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building – which in turn influenced interior decor. “Skyscraper” clocks, which took elements of modernist architecture and recreated them in semi-precious materials such as jade, marble and onyx, are just as popular today.
Jazz age retro gifts are characterised by their recreation of materials like Bakelite and chrome – both considered daring and new in the 1930s. Art Deco Bakelite wall and mantle clocks were found everywhere, from public railway stations to film stars’ homes. They varied from simple, round wall clocks to elaborate “Lady” mantle clocks, which combined geometric designs with beautiful and elaborate statuettes in bronze, spelter and pewter.
Statue clocks are especially evocative of the Art Deco period, and make beautiful and unusual retro gifts. The art inspiration came from many sources, including classic Egyptian art and Greek mythology. Although the majority were female, classic male figures like Hercules were also depicted. Modern influences included Hollywood, Olympic gymnasts and jazz music. Statue clocks are among the most evocative and collectible of all nostalgic gifts.
