Cartel clock c. 1792

Jan Swart crafted this cartel clock, and its gilt wood frame is dominated by an allegory of time. A cherubic figure, often associated with innocence and the beginning of life, sits atop the clock, holding aloft a tablet, with a scythe resting in his other hand. Here, the scythe, an attribute of Chronos, and later the Grim Reaper, traditionally signals the inevitable passage of time and mortality. In ancient Roman art, Chronos was often depicted holding a scythe, a visual symbol adopted and reshaped through Renaissance and Baroque art. This fusion of youth and mortality creates a powerful psychological tension. It reminds us, perhaps uncomfortably, that time marches on, inexorably linking birth and death. The cherub's innocent face contrasts sharply with the deadly scythe, embodying the anxieties of time's fleeting nature. This symbolism is cyclical, constantly resurfacing and adapting across centuries. The image retains its ability to provoke contemplation on our existence, highlighting the non-linear, continuous dialogue between past and present.