Clock

ca. 1748

German, 1695-1799

The clock face is inscribed “Stalpp Dresden” for its maker, Johann Friedrich Stalpp. This grand clock embodies the full-blown rococo style in Germany at mid century. It leaves nothing unsaid. Lavishly molded and gilded shellwork and scrollwork bracketed by pale-colored leafy fronds from nature make up the body of the clock. A languishing Venus sits atop a cresting wave. Two plump putti (young boys) play below. Idyllic scenes of attentive, gallant young men and their elegant women friends, inspired by the fête galante paintings by Watteau and still-popular chinoiseries, decorate the front and sides of the clock case.

Hard paste porcelain

15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm), height

19 in. (48.3 cm), overall height

Gift of Martha and Henry Isaacson

78.13

Photo: Paul Macapia

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Porcelain Stories: From China to Europe", February 17, 2000-May 7, 2000

Published ReferencesFinlay, Robert. "The Pilgrim Art: Cultures of Porcelain in World History". Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 2010, illustrated pl. 8

Emerson, Julie, Jennifer Chen, & Mimi Gardner Gates, "Porcelain Stories, From China to Europe", Seattle Art Museum, 2000, pg. 214

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