Retro Wall Clocks
Big, bold, and beautiful, retro wall clocks can give any room a dramatic accent of mid century modern style.
Whether it's a work of art in glittering metal or a futuristic starburst, a supersized circle clock, or even a whimsical cartoon character, a retro wall clock can compliment any modern decor.
No accessory evokes the retro aura like an oversize wall clock, and no designer was more influential in creating the clocks of the era than George Nelson. Recognized as one of the founding fathers of American Modernism, Nelson designed over 150 clocks for the prestigious Howard Miller Company during the midcentury years.
The timeless style of his designs make them not only retro classics, but perennial favorites that continue to be popular today. Here are just a few of the most well known and well loved George Nelson clock designs:
Sunburst Wall Clocks
The clean, uncluttered lines of mid century modern decor call out for a simple yet dramatic accent, which is exactly what Nelson's stunning sunburst clocks provide. Created in a variety of materials from gleaming silver steel to warm brass and even painted or varnished wood, Nelson's sunburst clocks were big, bold works of art that filled a lot of wall space and made an emphatically modern statement.
The classic Sunburst Clocks feature a oversize clock hands on a small and simple clock face, from which a halo of rays emerges. This basic design is available is almost endless varieties, including brass, mirrored silver, multicolor wood, and varnished wood.
Ball Wall Clocks
Among Nelson's best known wall clocks is the series of Ball Wall Clocks, a futuristic design in which the clock face was surrounded by a tubular metal rays, each topped with a colored ball. This "atomic" look, a lighthearted reflection of the mid century period's new interest in science and technology, remains very popular today.
Starburst Wall Clocks
Nelson's Starburst Wall Clocks are similar to his Sunburst clocks in size and impact, but feature a more elaborate geometric arrangement of rays. Many of Nelson's Starburst Clock designs feature oversize hands and a minimalist or even blank clock face. Among the most memorable and classic of his Starburst designs are those that incorporated varnished wood accents.
Asterisk Clocks
The whimsical side of retro modern design is the essence of Nelson's Asterisk Clocks. Sometimes made of wood or metal but most often found in fiberglass, plastic, or other man made materials, the classic Asterisk Clock designs generally include contrasting oversized hands and a blank clock "face" with no numbers. This style was enormously popular during the mid century period and remains a favorite with today's decorators as well. Asterisk Clocks make a minimalist statement that's simple, sophisticated, and fun.
Eye Clock
For real retro fans, George Nelson's Eye Clock is a must-have. This iconic clock style features a clock "face" created on the outline of the human eye.
Whether it's a work of art in glittering metal or a futuristic starburst, a supersized circle clock, or even a whimsical cartoon character, a retro wall clock can compliment any modern decor.
No accessory evokes the retro aura like an oversize wall clock, and no designer was more influential in creating the clocks of the era than George Nelson. Recognized as one of the founding fathers of American Modernism, Nelson designed over 150 clocks for the prestigious Howard Miller Company during the midcentury years.
The timeless style of his designs make them not only retro classics, but perennial favorites that continue to be popular today. Here are just a few of the most well known and well loved George Nelson clock designs:
Sunburst Wall Clocks
The clean, uncluttered lines of mid century modern decor call out for a simple yet dramatic accent, which is exactly what Nelson's stunning sunburst clocks provide. Created in a variety of materials from gleaming silver steel to warm brass and even painted or varnished wood, Nelson's sunburst clocks were big, bold works of art that filled a lot of wall space and made an emphatically modern statement.
The classic Sunburst Clocks feature a oversize clock hands on a small and simple clock face, from which a halo of rays emerges. This basic design is available is almost endless varieties, including brass, mirrored silver, multicolor wood, and varnished wood.
Ball Wall Clocks
Among Nelson's best known wall clocks is the series of Ball Wall Clocks, a futuristic design in which the clock face was surrounded by a tubular metal rays, each topped with a colored ball. This "atomic" look, a lighthearted reflection of the mid century period's new interest in science and technology, remains very popular today.
Starburst Wall Clocks
Nelson's Starburst Wall Clocks are similar to his Sunburst clocks in size and impact, but feature a more elaborate geometric arrangement of rays. Many of Nelson's Starburst Clock designs feature oversize hands and a minimalist or even blank clock face. Among the most memorable and classic of his Starburst designs are those that incorporated varnished wood accents.
Asterisk Clocks
The whimsical side of retro modern design is the essence of Nelson's Asterisk Clocks. Sometimes made of wood or metal but most often found in fiberglass, plastic, or other man made materials, the classic Asterisk Clock designs generally include contrasting oversized hands and a blank clock "face" with no numbers. This style was enormously popular during the mid century period and remains a favorite with today's decorators as well. Asterisk Clocks make a minimalist statement that's simple, sophisticated, and fun.
Eye Clock
For real retro fans, George Nelson's Eye Clock is a must-have. This iconic clock style features a clock "face" created on the outline of the human eye.
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