Grandfather Clock

The style of the clock can be attributed to Rococo. For the aesthetic design of the case, I used numerous decorative techniques. The doors feature bright inlay work. There are sculptures in an antique style. The oak case is adorned with artistic elements such as twisted side columns, shaped feet, and curved doors.

The upper part of the case is crowned with a wooden figure of a harpist, and at the very top of this composition a winged Sirin, carved from mammoth ivory, hovers above. The magical sounds of the harp and the song of the Sirin are accompanied by cupids made of aquamarine, decorating the tops of the side columns.

The lower door features an inlaid panel based on Auguste Renoir’s painting “Dance at Bougival,” and completing the Parisian cityscape, the Eiffel Tower appears as if in the background.

Work on the clock is not yet finished.

Grandfather Clock, unique piece
Germany 2006–2009
Author: Alexander Babel

Oak case

Finishing:

Oils: tung oil, linseed oil, orange oil, camellia oil; beeswax, rosin, balsam turpentine.

Dial:

Center: lapis lazuli (Afghanistan)
Border: malachite (Zaire)
Numerals, hands and bezel: 333 gold

Movement:

OCHZ (Oryol Watch Factory), 03.1962, No. 47746
Pendulum: oak, chrome (115 mm)

Figures:

Harpist: oak
Harp: pernambuco wood, mammoth ivory, 935 silver
Paradise bird Sirin: mammoth ivory
Cupids: aquamarine

Upper door:

Abalone, amber, malachite, mammoth ivory, brass, 935 silver (intarsia)
Display windows made of curved glass

Lower door:

Man: granite, beech, mahogany, movingui (citron wood), abalone, mammoth ivory, brass.
Woman: white abalone (Haliotis (Paua) iris (Philippines)) and red (Gastropoda Orthogastropoda Vetigastropoda Pleurotomarioides Halotidae), amboyna wood, mammoth ivory, turquoise.
Eiffel Tower: 935 silver
Flowers: abalone, amber, malachite (Zaire), mammoth ivory, 935 silver
Frame: lapis lazuli (Afghanistan)
Handle: amber, mammoth ivory

Columns:

Abalone (Haliotis (Paua) iris (Philippines)), malachite (Zaire), mammoth ivory, ebony, 935 silver

Dimensions:

Height: 2145 mm
Width: 395 mm
Depth: 170 mm

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. General view.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Detail, right side. Cupid (aquamarine).

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Detail, left side. Cupid (aquamarine).

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Rosette on the upper door. Amber mosaic with a mammoth ivory frame.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Leather bellows.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Assembly of the leather bellows.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Dial (lapis lazuli, framed by malachite). Gold numerals and hands.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Top element: harpist (oak), harp (pernambuco), strings (silver), Sirin bird of paradise (mammoth ivory).

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Sirin bird of paradise (mammoth ivory).

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Silver bells.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Inlaid lower door. Dancing couple inspired by Renoir’s 'Dance at Bougival'. Eiffel Tower.

Grandfather clock. Original work by Alexander Babel. Sketch with inlay elements and finished parts made of mammoth ivory, abalone, and malachite.

Photo collage: dancing couple inspired by Renoir, mother-of-pearl butterflies, and a grandfather clock against a lapis lazuli and malachite dial. Original work by Alexander Babel.