
Ball Clock
<p>Introducing a modern scientific reference into domestic design, this work belongs to the <em>Chronopak</em> 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.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1948
- Dimensions
- 34.3 × 8.9 cm (13 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Irving Harper
Artist

Irving Harper was an American designer and craftsperson whose prolific output ranged from furniture and metalwork to jewelry and sculptural objects. Working primarily in the postwar period, he developed a distinctive approach that synthesized modernist principles with handmade technique, often employing brass, copper, and wood. His designs combined geometric abstraction with functional elegance, creating pieces that occupied the space between industrial production and artisanal craft. Harper's work remained largely understudied during his lifetime, gaining significant scholarly attention only in the decades following his death.
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Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Irving Harper
- Year
- 1948
- Dimensions
- 34.3 × 8.9 cm (13 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1948-137399
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified
