Clock
Attributed to
Reed & Barton
(American, active Taunton, Massachusetts, founded 1840)
Date1880
MediumBrass and/or copper, silver, fabric rope and unidentified metals
DimensionsOverall: 10 1/4 x 10 1/4in. (26 x 26cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum purchase by exchange in part with funds from Mr. and Mrs. William C. Murray, Mrs. Francis M. Metcalf, and Mrs. George A. Harter in memory of Mr. George Harter
Object number2001.29
DescriptionSquare body, with rolled-up corners, overall hammered. Metal patenated red. Applied cast ornament of a frog and of a lily pad and flower. Brass clock face in center with white Roman numeral chaptersOn View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextAt the Centennial Exhibition, Japanese mixed-metal artistic goods proved a potent stimulus to American designers who admired the naturalistic depictions of flora and fauna and the utilization of metals Western craftsmen had not previously considered suitable for decorative arts. To imitate Japanese metals, American manufacturers adopted the use of less expensive materials, textured and colored finishes, and relied on the asymmetrical naturalistic ornamentation seen throughout Japanese art.
This clock exemplifies an American adaptation of Japanese metal arts. The body of the clock is chemically treated and varnished copper. Asymmetrically placed Japanesque silver appliqués of a frog and a lily pad accent the glossy, red-hued surface and create an effect reminiscent of Asian patinated metals and lacquerware.
