Repeating watch 1760 - 1770

Curator: Ah, look at this delicate object. This is a "Repeating watch" created between 1760 and 1770, likely by Robert Thorne, and it’s now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a beautiful example of decorative art using gold and other metals. Editor: My initial impression? Pure opulence. The intricate gold casing and the way light catches its surface suggest it was made for someone of considerable status. Curator: Absolutely. Watches of this caliber, particularly "repeating" watches that chime the time, were status symbols, signifying wealth and technological sophistication in the 18th century. We have to consider the socioeconomic implications; who had access to such craftsmanship and what did it mean to possess it? Editor: Right. These weren't mere time-telling devices; they were wearable art, expressing the cultural values of the Rococo period. The emphasis on elaborate ornamentation, the curving lines…it speaks to an elite that reveled in luxury and the display of wealth. Was timekeeping even that critical or was it more about ornamentation? Curator: That’s the crucial tension. While accuracy mattered, these objects also participated in a theatre of social power. The 'repeating' function provided an aural performance of wealth and power in social settings, so the watch was a signifier, but it was also, undeniably, about the technological advancements of the era. Editor: Considering Thorne’s identity and context, could the watch be viewed as a reflection of his aspirations, or perhaps his clientele's desires? Was he consciously subverting, perpetuating, or perhaps entirely divorced from any specific class-related agenda? Curator: Thorne operated within a system of patronage, and his livelihood depended on fulfilling the desires of the wealthy elite. He was also an artisan and innovator—so, agency exists within constraint. He navigated the complexities of a market that dictated certain styles, while potentially pushing the boundaries of his craft. Editor: This kind of piece invites us to consider so many intersecting aspects, from labor conditions and the culture of artisanry to wealth distribution, gender and societal performance. Thank you for the added perspective! Curator: And thanks to you. It serves as a reminder that art, even something seemingly simple as a watch, can reflect and shape power structures.