
One of the interesting aspects of upcycling, and especially upcycle design, is the fact that designers take an everyday object and use it to make a familiar object out of it. And the nice thing about it is that you recognize the object right away, but never thought you could do something so amazing with it. And this is certainly the case with the Matchbox Collections Grandfather Clock by Diederik Schneemann.
Schneemann often uses existing items and creates something familiar from them. He uses well-known iconic shapes, objects, or products that remind us of some experience or feeling like a historical moment, story, or memory. Just like the clock you’re seeing in the post.
Matchboxes used as raw material
A very familiar object, which reminds us of the old days. This grandfather clock features over 3,000 matchboxes from all around the world. It has been put together from personal collections that go back almost 100 years.

Collected over many years
‘Cherished’ is a project by Diederik Schneemann. It’s his latest project and focuses on the idea of collecting. Schneemann is always on the lookout for new and interesting objects and materials to work with. This time he stumbled upon some discarded, old and unique collections cherished by people over a period of many, many years.

The matchboxes used for this upcycle design clock get even more value by giving them a totally different function. It doesn’t always have to be marble or bronze.
Schneemann:
“The matchbox pieces have become time capsules that bring us back to the second half of the 20th century in evoking images of old hotels in faraway places or to the cigarette brands your parents used to smoke.”
Memories
Another great aspect of this Cherished collection is that it oozes dedication, effort, and craftsmanship. And last but not least it creates memories. All in all, very inspiring objects, certainly when they’re used as raw material.

A new reality
Seeing this clock and looking at the Cherished collection that he made with these well-known and discarded items, you are taken by some sort of new reality.
Design by Diederik Schneemann