A magnificent early 20th Century Art Deco geometric green onyx and black marble 8 day movement clock with gilt metal face. The clock complete with a figure of one of Preiss''s most famous carvings ''Thoughts'' - a seated nude in thoughtful contemplation, her knees bent with her elbows resting on them, her chin placed on her clasped hands, signed F PreissADDITIONAL INFORMATIONHeight: 45 cmWidth: 51 cm Condition: Excellent Original ConditionCirca: 1925 Materials: Bronze, Ivory & MarbleBook Ref Ferdinand Preiss by Alberto ShayoPage No 100 & 102SKU: 8975Defra No: AAJNRCYMABOUTArt Deco 8-day movement clock is a timepiece embodying the iconic Art Deco style popularized in the 1920s and 1930s. It features sleek geometric lines, bold colors, and luxurious materials. Its precise 8-day movement ensures accurate timekeeping, making it a timeless and elegant addition to any interior space.Ferdinand Preiss ThoughtsFerdinand Preiss was born on the 13th February 1882 in Erbach in the Odenwald. From the age of 15 he lived with the family of the famous ivory carver Philipp Willmann, where he was trained to be an ivory carver in his own right. In 1901 he travelled to Rome and Paris, where he earned his living as a modeller.In Baden-Baden he befriended Arthur Kassler who became his companion. With Kassler he founded the company Preiss & Kassler, an ivory-carving business with a workshop in Berlin.In 1907 he married a Berliner, Margarethe Hilme. Soon afterwards his son Harry and his daughter Lucie were born. At first, the available models of the new company consisted of small ivory carvings, including statuettes of children and classical subjects influenced by characters from ancient Greece. From 1910 the first carvings which combined bronze with ivory were produced. The casting was done by the company Gladenbeck in Berlin. When the First World War broke out in 1914 the company had increased the number of employees to six; all of whom were outstanding ivory carvers from Erbach.Immediately after the end of the war Preiss and Kassler built up the business again and enjoyed great success during the 1920s. Preiss was the artistic director whereas Kassler devoted himself to the commercial side of the business. Their speciality was Art Deco cabinet sculptures which combined ivory with painted and gilt bronze and which were mounted on plinths made of onyx or marble. The models, most of which were designed by Ferdinand Preiss, were produced in limited editions. A large proportion of the production was exported to England and the USA....