The vintage object I've selected from Trade Me is
a Large French black mantle clock, which has been listed as an object from the
1880s. The object has been crafted in neoclassical form, the opposite of its
more feminine sister, Rococo, the art motif of said time period(1850-1900).
Neoclassicism, known for masculinity, white space
and rectilinear, geometric shapes spanned from the 1760s to the 1850s and
incorporated the ideals of classical Greek themes after the archeological
discoveries, such as the city of Pompeii.
These archeological findings began to ignite a
new interest in Greek and Roman culture, which lead to cultivating classical
interest. Early neoclassical paintings exhibit the organic form and beauty
associated in the Rococo style but portray Roman and Greek themes, which helps
to explain the gold, almost soft, organic like spirals that add ornament to
such a strong Parthenon shape as if the artist has tried to make a muscular
form seem somewhat feminine or inclusive, not only as the artist done this, but
also replaced the traditional white space of Neoclassicism with black marble, which
ruins the purity of classical design and the idea of the minimalistic approach,
a corrupted form, a resurrection gone wrong.
In terms of the cultural context of this
Mantle Clock, it is an item for the wealthy; a object that only upper-class
citizens would have been able to gain in their possession. Gold bares the
weight of the marble Parthenon while also showing decorative ornament of
organic "growth" of branches around the base. The gold also
illuminated the clock face while adding detail in symmetrical manor with accompanying
gilt mental adornments on the sides and top, these beg to question the
functionality, as the top ornament seems absurd and unnecessary as a bell for
such a classical form, rendering it an illogical form.
Listed As: Large French Mantle Clock
URL: http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/clocks-scientific-instruments/auction-470253968.htm
Listing#: 470253968
History Of Art: Neo-Classicalism. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.all-art.org/history356-1.html
Age Of Enlightenment - Neo-Classicism. (n.d). Retrieve from http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/neo-classicism.html
Jason Petty. (2012, March 28). Kingdom of Incorporeal Beauties - Neoclassical Design, 1550-1850, Victoria School of Architecture and Design, New Zealand.
Jason Petty. (2012, March 21). The continuing curve: baroque and rococo design, Victoria School of Architecture and Design, New Zealand.
