The Mora Clock...
They are today, I believe, as trendy as in their heyday {late 18th, early 19th century}
SUCH stunning decorative pieces that beautifully accent a room with their timeless elegance.
{images via Home & Design and Veranda}
Gorgeous, right?
Sooo...
Let's just say, I was DOUBTFUL when my mom and I first spotted this one.
These days, you see so many reproductions, it's become rare to spot a TRUE diamond in the rough.
{but we're talking my mom here......SO not hard for her in the LEAST!}
Let's start with the before {top to bottom for the FULL floral effect}:
(Don't worry...it's not the original paint job or I wouldn't have dared to touch the slightest thing)
**Before I let you drink in the after, I thought a quick history lesson on the Mora clock might just be in order**
The Scandinavian floor clock known as the "Mora Clock" started near the town of Mora, in central Sweden in the Province of Dalarna around 1750.
Bad weather and poor soil forced the farmers in the Mora area to look for other ways to supplement their income. The villagers of this area turned to traditional home crafts, building of wall clocks and tall case clocks. Each family specialized in a certain part: some made the brass clockworks, some painted the faces, while others built or painted the tall case clocks. Just like an assembly line, the workers became very skilled and did excellent work.
About 1000 Grandfather/Grandmother/Scandinavian Mora Clocks were built each year for 80 years - this craft flourished and the best of the best were sold to the very wealthy.
Since these clocks are handmade, they all have their own unique, whimsical charms!
This particular one is less curvy and shorter than most I've seen....but I'm still IN LOVE:
The original clock face reads:
Mils Fredrick A. Son
Mora
I especially love the bowed glass over the face.
and it still has the original inner workings.....
The weights are made of cast iron!
I just dry brushed a a coat of grey and a lighter shade of blue to get this creamy look.
Then quickly rubbed some stain over the whole thing to add depth.
It's no Sweden...but for now, this Mora has found a cozy little home right here :
The best part....it STILL keeps time!
{just working on making it chime again}
Speaking of time....gotta get to bed.
We've got a DECK to build tomorrow :)
{more on that later...} :)
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