Siegfried Putz
Anthroposophical Clock, c. 1935

Material: oak, metal

Influenced by Anthroposophy and the work of Rudolf Steiner, Siegfried Pütz and others of the Dornach School were a major influence on Wharton Esherick. This sculptural clock made of Oak is from the estate of Pütz.

While other clock artists were or are content with a finished movement, including the dial and hands, Siegfried Pütz went one step further and also designed the case, the dial and the matching hands. Thereby he was able to consistently point to the pentagon as the predominant geometry applied to all visible parts of the watch. Even the pointer root is pentagonal in design. In contrast to the pentagon, the numerals are in a round, carved into the solid dial. For better use and legibility the numerals were highlighted with dark brown.

With this bold step, Pütz overcame the constraints of a clock with a circular dial. Though the use of a wooden dial does not impose a dazzling white enameled or silver metallic dial optically in the foreground, the practical function of the clock is discreet, not to say equal to the artistic function. The entire clock was made from a single material, in one style.

This clock is accompanied by a design drawing with the inscription “Clock case, ash, natural oiled and matted, with carved dial and hands.”

Finally, the clock case was equipped with a movement. It’s a simple work with lantern shoots, short pendulums and a striking mechanism.