Preliminary identification

Schlabach Woodworks Mission Style Oak Mantel Clock with Motawi Peacock Tile

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a beautiful contemporary Arts and Crafts revival mantel clock featuring a quartersawn white oak case with a rich, tiger-stripe flake grain. Set into the lower portion of the case is a stunning, tube-lined art pottery tile depicting a stylized peacock feather in vibrant shades of teal, green, and blue.

Story

In the 1990s, a quiet renaissance bloomed in the Midwest as modern artisans revived the honest, hand-built ethos of the 1910 Arts and Crafts movement. This clock unites two masters of that revival: Ohio's Schlabach woodworkers and Michigan's celebrated Motawi Tileworks.

Maker / Origin

Schlabach Woodworks is renowned for producing heirloom-quality, solid-wood furniture in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, utilizing traditional joinery and showcasing the natural beauty of quartersawn oak. The tile was designed and hand-glazed by Motawi Tileworks, founded in 1992 by Nawal Motawi, which quickly became the gold standard for art pottery tiles in the United States.

Condition & Value

The clock appears to be in excellent condition with a rich, well-preserved finish on the oak case and no visible crazing, chips, or cracks to the Motawi tile. Excellent condition like this ensures the piece retains its maximum decorative and functional value.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.