Orologio da mensola in resina sintetica


1946 - 1950

inventario
IGB-12257
autori
Vitascope Industry Ltd. (produttore/ distributore)
collocazione
deposito
descrizione
"Art deco Vitascope electric clock with automation rocking ship on an illuminated ocean scene with cloud background. Original ‘Art Deco' style hands and dot numerals.
Electric movement, ‘green' Bakelite case with original green painted back with start wind and light switch stamped ‘Vitascope Industries Ltd'.
The original design of this clock was patented in 1941 by a Mr J.S.Thatcher. The clock is powered by a 250 volt mains supply (at 50 cycles) to a synchronous movement which drives both the hands and the automata.
The ship rides on an oval shaped cam which makes it lift and roll. It is lit from the back of the case through a cylinder. (The movement and back panel are earthed using three-core mains wire to comply with EEC regulations).
The cylinder made up of coloured strips of gelatine giving the effects of sunrise and sunset as it gently rotates.
The ship is thought to be a replica of the famous tea clipper, ‘The Cutty Sark' which was launched in 1869 on the river Clyde and can still be seen today at Grenwich Dock in London.
The cases were made in various colours including cream, white, brown, red, green and pink. These clocks were manufactured in The Isle of Man.
The movement is not self starting when first switched on and the knob at the back of the clock has to be turned in the direction indicated to start the clock. Circa 1945."

https://www.bada.org/object/art-deco-green-vitascope-electric-clock

La maggior parte delle descrizioni esistenti di questi oggetto attribuisce il nome di bakelite al materiale che ne costituisce il case. Non esistendo però modo di colorare la bachelite in questo modo, essendo effettivamente in bakelite i primi esemplari, ed essendo abbastanza comune che i fabbricanti di bakelite producessero anche urea formaldeide (e di conseguenza la usassero i loro clienti), è probabile che questo specifico oggetto sia in urea formaldeide. Alcune (poche) fonti ascrivono però il materiale a acetato di cellulosa.
definizione
orologio
acquisizione
Montedison (2000)
settore
Materiali polimerici
bibliografia
Gruppo Montedison, Gli anni di plastica, a cura di Pasquale Alfierj, Francesca Cernia, Milano, Electa, 1983
tipologia
orologio
scheda ICCD
PST