Irving Harper (American, 1916–2015)
George Nelson Associates (American, 1955–mid 1980s)
Manufactured by Herman Miller Inc. (American, founded 1905)
Ball Clock
INV-1541
Irving Harper (American, 1916–2015)
George Nelson Associates (American, 1955–mid 1980s)
Manufactured by Herman Miller Inc. (American, founded 1905)1948–69
Modernismclockfurniture accessory
Date
1948–69
Medium
Chrome, black enameled metal, and ebonized wood
Dimensions
34.3 × 8.9 cm (13 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Orbit Fund
Introducing a modern scientific reference into domestic design, this work belongs to the Chronopak series of electric clocks designed by Irving Harper during his tenure with George Nelson Associates. This clock is not only symbolic of American design following World War II, but it also represents design philosophies that embodied issues such as informal living and portability. Although the clock is completely abstract, it suggests both the structure of the atom and the iconic asterisk symbol that abounded in the 1950s.
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