The Two Arthurs

Description

Large Art Nouveau Jugendstil Arnhem Pottery Mantel Clock designed by Klaas Vet.

A superb and most striking Art Nouveau Jugendstil pottery mantel clock with pendulum by the Arnhem Pottery/Arnhem Faience Factory of the Netherlands designed by Klaas Vet c1907.

The casing is modelled with two sweeping handles in the Jugendstil style highlighted with delicate painted linear decoration and stylised plant motifs.

The clock’s design exemplifies the union of function and style, in true Nieuwe Kunst fashion, an identical but smaller size version of this clock is held in the Smithsonian Design Museum of New York.

Manufactured by brothers Jacob and Klaas Vet who previously founded the Purmerend factory which was burnt down by a fire in 1906, the Arnhem Pottery continued to focus on floral patterns with thin and sinuous lines painted in subtle blue and mustard yellow colours. These details accentuated the light cream-coloured ground of the pottery, which was a matt under-glaze that imitated Bert Nienhuis’ work at De Distel Pottery, one of the Netherlands other prominent ceramic manufacturers.

Marks: Printed Arnhem and rooster symbol with various marks to underside of base.

Condition: In excellent undamaged original condition, the French clock movement with pendulum is fully intact and works with a beautiful chime but we do not guarantee this and recommend a full service to ensure longevity.

Size: 32cm high x 24.5cm wide

Date: Circa 1907.