• Shop
  • Design Services
  • Design Lookbook
  • Happenings
  • About Us

The Artful Lifestyle Blog

by Huff Harrington

  • Blog Home
  • ArtOur Passion
    • Artist Profile
    • New Artists
  • Decor + DesignOur Eye
    • Before + After
    • Designer Profile
    • Re-dos
    • Seasonal
    • Tips + Secrets
    • Trends
  • LifestyleOur Spirit
    • Entertaining
    • Fashion
  • TravelOur Wanderlust
    • Fave Destinations
    • Trips
  • Let’s Go Shopping!
You are here: Home / Decor + Design / Clock Crush: Mora Clocks

Clock Crush: Mora Clocks

November 10, 2015 by Huff Harrington

Follow Us
Facebook0
Twitter0
Pinterest24

We’ve got a serious clock crush.

Our obsession with the elegant and sexy clock known as the Mora clock has been stewing for several years.  But it took a trip to an antiques market in the south of France – and finding two beauties we just couldn’t resist – before we made it official by signing on the dotted line and plunking down our euros.

A little history:  So what exactly is a Mora clock? They’re probably most recognizable as “Swedish” clocks, painted in gorgeous pale blues, creams or just left in their natural pine state.  They actually originated in the district of Mora in central Sweden where, back in the in the late 1700s, there was a flourishing cottage clock industry that supplemented the rather poor agricultural business.  Each family or clock maker would create one of the parts needed for the clock and then the parts were assembled in a specially designed case.  Many of their faces are marked “A A S Mora” – the initials of Krang Anders Andersson who is known as the first Mora clock maker.*

How could anyone refuse this charming clock? We love the rounded head and "belly"...not to mention the perfect blue-gray paint.
How could anyone refuse this charming clock? At the dealers’ fair in the south of France, we fell in love with the rounded head and “belly”…not to mention the perfect blue-gray paint.

 

French-inspired: The early styles of the clocks were inspired by English clock design (straight lines and square dials) but as time went by and the clock business thrived, inspiration came from the French and the clocks became recognizable by their charming rounded heads, rounded middles and white faces with black numbers (of course, soooo French!)

The sweet face of Mr. Mora clock, circa 18...
The sweet face of Mr. Mora clock, circa 1839.

 

They eventually went out of fashion (and production slowed down due to mechanization and copy-catting) but today they’re quite rare and very desirable.  It’s easy to see why they’re so hot:  their sexy little figures and elegant faces – not to mention their gorgeous pale shades of white, cream, blue and gray – make them perfect crusty accruements to today’s clean and pared down interiors.

No two peas in a pod:  We love the fact that each one is different so when it came time to commit, we did what we do when we’re choosing art: we went with the two that made our hearts race.  We were drawn to their pretty color, their quirky figures and their cute rounded heads.

And when they landed at Huff Harrington Home several months later, we jumped up and down with delight. Our two Mora clocks add great style especially when they’re paired with something modern and clean.

Here's one of our babies taking center stage next to a sexy acrylic table and sleek club chairs.
Here’s one of our Mora clocks taking center stage next to a sexy acrylic table and sleek club chairs. Photo by Erica Dines.

 

From Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles: the Mora clock sits in a perfect spot on a staircase and surrounded by a lovely mix of antiques, upholstery and art.
From Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles: the Mora clock sits in a perfect spot on a staircase and is surrounded by a lovely mix of antiques, upholstery and art. Photo: Laura Rubenstein.

 

We LOVE this gorgeous Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles shot. Designer.... mixed calming colors with a beautiful rug and found the perfect spot for the clock.
We LOVE this gorgeous Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles shot.  Calm colors, a beautiful rug and a perfect spot for a Mora clock. Photo: Erica George Dines.

 

A perfect Mora vignette from Tone on Tone in Washington DC.
A perfect Mora vignette from Tone on Tone in Washington DC.

 

Part of the Swedish charm? Less is more...from Tone on Tone in Washington, DC.
Part of the Swedish charm? Less is more!  From Tone on Tone in Washington, DC.

 

Drooling over beige and cream checks....and that clock. From Tone on Tone in Washington, DC.
Drooling over beige and cream checks….and that clock. From Tone on Tone in Washington, DC.

 

Another Mora clock, this one in a pretty blue. From Veranda and photography by Peter Vitale.
Another Mora clock, this one in a pretty blue. From Veranda and photography by Peter Vitale.

 

We love the sheer simplicity and grace of this blue and gold Mora clock. From Cote de Texas.
We love the sheer simplicity and grace of this blue and gold Mora clock. From the fabulous Cote de Texas.

 

We fell in love with this adorable Mora all decked out for the holidays. House Beautiful and Werner Straube
We are smitten with this adorable Mora all decked out for the holidays.
House Beautiful and Werner Straube.

 

You had us at “god dag” (hello):  So, we just can’t get enough of Mora clocks.  Our two babies are at the store, making us happy every day – in fact, we’re thinking we might need to plan a trip to Sweden just to track down more Moras (and for Meg, a trip down memory lane as many early years were spent in beautiful Stockholm.)

Come by and take a look and get hooked on Swedish Mora clocks – just like we are.

Ta ta.

*from Wikipedia and moraclocks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

comments

Comments

  1. Christine Hooker says

    November 14, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Thinking of you, everyone and everything France after the horrific events of yesterday. My prayers are with all civilized persons of this World. As I grieve for my fellow American as a graduate of California State University, Long Beach and for all those who share the sorrow in France.. Thank you for always providing absolute and positive joy for us Francophiles. Vive la France!

Filed Under: Decor + Design, Uncategorized Tagged With: antiques, clock, france, Sweden

You might also like to read…

  • 10 Reasons to Love Our Jaunts to Paris

  • 10 Tips for a Makeover

    10 Tips for a Makeover

Products you might love…

    About Huff Harrington

    What happens when two committed Francophiles, art lovers and design junkies get together over a bottle of red wine? A fine art gallery with a little je ne sais quoi is born, followed a few years later by its home furnishings and décor sibling.

    Get Exclusive Emails

    Don't miss promotions, events, featured artists, and all the things we love at Huff Harrington Home and Art.

    Follow HH Home

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Meet Ann + Meg

    What happens when two committed Francophiles, art lovers and design junkies get together over a bottle of red wine? A fine art gallery with a little je ne sais quoi is born, followed a few years later by its home furnishings and décor sibling.

    Welcome to Gift Central

    fabulous french antiques shop now

    Products you might love…

      Follow Us on Instagram

      Follow @huffharrington

      Categories

      Topics

      abstract accessories antiques aroma art gallery artists Atlanta Homes and LIfestyle Before and After Bethanne Cople buying trip to paris cuisine design designer design services fragrance france french antiques french furniture furniture gallery gifts how to huff harrington huff harrington fine art interior design jarres jewelry kitchen design les murets lorraine christie Marburger Farm Nola Burt painting in provence paintings paris paris apartment provence renovation Round Top Antiques Fair shopping tops Travel trips trips to france tunics

      Favorite Reads

      • A Femme d’Un Certain Age
      • Calling it Home
      • Coco Cozy
      • Cote de Texas
      • Design Indulgence
      • Designing with a Deadline
      • From the Right Bank
      • Greige Design
      • Habitually Chic
      • Hadley Court
      • La Dolce Vita
      • Lisa Mende Design
      • Lost in Cheeseland
      • Our French Oasis
      • Simply Seleta
      • The Enchanted Home
      • The English Room
      • The French Tangerine
      • The Pink Pagoda
      • Things That Inspire

      Shop Huff Harrington Now!

      • What’s New
      • Art
      • Curator’s Picks
      • Have to Haves
      • Accessories
      • Aroma
      • Books
      • Decor
      • Furniture
      • Jewelry
      • Lighting
      • Tableware
      • Trips
      • The Gift Guide

      Keep Reading

      A WEEK IN PROVENCE: Mothers, daughters & BFF’s

      A WEEK IN PROVENCE: Mothers, daughters & BFF’s

      Introducing Lily Harrington at Huff Harrington Fine Art

      Introducing Lily Harrington at Huff Harrington Fine Art

      Huff Harrington on the road

      Huff Harrington on the road

      Enjoy The Artful Lifestyle

      Home: 102 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30305 | Call Huff Harrington Home 404.467.0311 • Art: 4240 Rickenbacker Drive, Atlanta, GA 30342 | Call Huff Harrington Art 404.257.0511
      ©2021 Huff Harrington. All rights reserved. Design by Works Progress