Watch 1835 - 1865

Editor: Here we have a pocket watch by Callaud, made sometime between 1835 and 1865. It’s metal and very ornate. It strikes me as surprisingly modern, with that floral pattern, despite its age. How do you interpret this work from a formalist perspective? Curator: The surface articulation, or the high degree of finish evident on this timepiece, demands close attention. Note the meticulous detailing – the engraved floral motif at the centre. And the delicate paisley-like designs surrounding it are of significance. Editor: I see what you mean about the precision, it is impressive. But is it meant to be beautiful, or functional, or both? Curator: Observe the overall composition, particularly the use of radial symmetry. Is there perhaps a semiotic value embedded within the repeated designs or the reflective surfaces? What is being communicated beyond its mere function? Editor: The symmetry does give it balance. I hadn’t thought about the semiotic value before. So, looking at the composition and surface, it almost seems to embody the romanticism style. Curator: Precisely. It elevates the utilitarian object to an expression of aesthetic principles. Reflect on the balance achieved between the technical demands of watchmaking and decorative artistry. Is it successful, do you think? Editor: Definitely! It's made me appreciate how technical skill can enhance design, and vice versa. It is so much more than just an object to tell time. Curator: Indeed, this has shifted my thinking regarding objecthood and the capacity for transcendence inherent within decorative art.