Irving Harper (American, 1916–2015). "Ball" Wall Clock, 1948–1969. Painted birch, steel, brass, 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (34.3 x 34.3 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 2000.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.101.1_bw.jpg)
Irving Harper (American, 1916–2015). "Ball" Wall Clock, 1948–1969. Painted birch, steel, brass, 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (34.3 x 34.3 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 2000.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.101.1_transp4820.jpg)
"Ball" Wall Clock
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Decorative Art, 4th Floor
The Ball wall clock, sometimes called the Atomic clock, has become an icon of mid-twentieth century American design. It was the star of a line commissioned by the Howard Miller Clock Company to update its collection for a new, postwar generation of consumers. The rods and spheres evoking the structure of the atom introduced a modern scientific note into home or office interiors.
MANUFACTURER
Howard Miller Clock Co., founded 1926
MEDIUM
Painted birch, steel, brass
DATES
1948–1969
DIMENSIONS
13 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (34.3 x 34.3 x 7 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Decal label, black on gold: "Howard Miller Clock Company [in script] / ZEELAND, MICHIGAN / 115 v. 60 CY 2 WATTS / PATTERN N."
At left in circle between inverted "U" shapes: "chronograph [in script]"
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
2000.101.1
CREDIT LINE
H. Randolph Lever Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Ball Wall Clock. Central wooden disc, painted orange houses works of clock. From the outer component of this disc twelve brass rods radiate, each terminating in orange painted wooden ball. Hour hand is long tapering triangle terminating in broad triangle painted black. Minute hand is thin strip intersected near end by oval shape, painted black. Second hand is small thin strip with circle at short end, painted red. On reverse is affixed a direct plug with two tines in plastic casing and a small hole for hanging.
CONDITION: Very good. Some fading of orange and minor losses to paint. See conservation report.
Model No. 4755
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Decorative Art, 4th Floor
CAPTION
Irving Harper (American, 1916–2015). "Ball" Wall Clock, 1948–1969. Painted birch, steel, brass, 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (34.3 x 34.3 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 2000.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2000.101.1_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2000.101.1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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