Antique Swedish Mora Clocks:

Moraclock.com sources some of the most interesting and unusual antique Swedish Mora
clocks from Sweden for sale internationally and in the UK. This article described the history
of the Mora clock and provides some details about difference in designs.

History of Mora Clocks

Mora clocks originated from the 1700s to 1800s from the Darlarna province of Sweden. The
village of Mora in this region became associated with the production of Mora clocks. The
earliest Mora clocks were Rococo in style (ie curved with delicate carving features) and this
style and shape was retained in the later Mora clocks of the 1800s. This female shape for
the Mora clock is distinct from the male Mora clock which is typically a straight Mora
clock.

The Mora clocks made during this period were something of a cottage industry for the
Dalarna province of Sweden. Typically a Mora clock was ordered by purchasing a Mora
clock mechanism, which tended to be made by certain families, and then custom ordering
the Mora clock case to be made by a local carpenter. The Mora clock was then painted to the
owners own preference.

Styles of Mora Clocks

Due to the cases being ordered and painted to the owners own needs then a huge variety of
styles existed. The main styles in existence are:

~ Country Style

The country style were more simple and typically painted in only one or two colours. In

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contrast those made for wealthier persons included ornate carvings and hand painted
details.

~ Manor House Style

These styles were more ornate and elaborate. Often with carved details to the hood and its
base they would have included painted patterns that were either scenic or reflected the
mood at the time (at one stage Chinoiserie (Chinese patterns) style was popular). These were
destined for wealthy Swedish families and would included gilded details and more often
much better mechanisms than those found in the country style clocks.

Some examples of these different style:

Chinoiserie patterns:

Floral painted patterns:

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Gilded and carved detailing:

Regional differences:

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As well as the typical Mora clock and its closely related but wealthier relative destined for
the manor houses in the South East of Sweden and Stockholm there were other differences
in other parts of Sweden. Other regions in Sweden adopted or made their own distinct style
of Mora clock that came to symbolise their regional identity.

In the Northern part of Sweden, for example in Norrbotten county, they were made much
taller and thinner to characterise themselves from the shorter and more rounded Mora
Clock:

To the West of Sweden, in the county of Varmland an elaborate and elegant style called a
Fryksdale clock was made. These were characterised by an exaggerated rounded base and
an abundance of carving.

Some examples of the Fryksdale clock:

Finally the most unusual to emerge out of the Sweden during the 17th and 18th Century is the
Bridal clock. These were traditionally given as a wedding gift to marrying couples and the

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clock would resemble the brides wedding gown with elaborate decorations. They were
made in the middle of Sweden in the regions of Jamtland and Angermanland. A very small
number were made and these are increasingly becoming rare.

Source:

www.moraclock.com