Ceramic Clocks – Model #2 Desk Clock – / By George Nelson, 1953 – Vitra

George Nelson (1908 – 1986) is considered to be one of the founders of American modernism. He contributed to the beginning of modern design with a human dimension. Renowned for his collaborations with brands such as Vitra and Herman Miller, he has created several products that are now considered to be icons of mid-20th century modernism. A belief in progress and increasing economic prosperity were central aspects of the American way of life in the 1950s. Everything seemed possible and people would try to be “modern”. With the aim of bringing modern design into American homes, George Nelson designed a wide range of everyday objects up to the 1970s: Lamps, clocks and other home accessories, including the Bubble Lamps and the Ball Clock which became icons of mid-century modern design. The Ceramic Clocks table clocks combine geometric and organic shapes into a playful and sculptural aesthetic, evoking 3D works by artists such as Constantin Brancusi or Isamu Noguchi. Although designed and fully developed in the early 1950s, Ceramic Clocks were never mass-produced for unknown reasons. Based on the original plans and prototypes, Vitra has produced a new edition of Ceramic Clocks in porcelain. Available in cheerful colours, they are fitted with an ultra-modern high-precision quartz mechanism.