Tall Clock 1730 - 1750

Curator: This is a tall clock, created by Henry Hill sometime between 1730 and 1750. It's an extraordinary piece of Baroque decorative art, carved from wood. Editor: It has this intense feeling of… looming! I immediately think of the rigid social structures of the 18th century. Something about its height and stern face makes me uneasy. Curator: Uneasy? Well, think of it as more than just a time-telling device. It was a status symbol! Placed prominently in a wealthy home to showcase precision and order, very performative. Editor: Exactly! All about controlling time, labor, and bodies. And the fact that it’s so phallic, like a looming patriarchal figure presiding over the domestic space… it feels deliberate. The carving becomes another layer of that controlled presentation. Curator: Ha! I suppose one could see it that way. I always just saw the craftsmanship. Think about the carving, the patience! It’s exquisite detail is more about pride of work and artistry. A way to bring beauty into the everyday. Editor: Perhaps. But can we separate beauty from the power structures it served? This wasn’t just about individual artistry; it was about reinforcing hierarchies. Even its physical placement in the house… who got to be near it? Whose time was being dictated? Curator: Okay, okay, point taken! But, still, can't we appreciate its artistry independent of all that? It's like saying we can't enjoy a landscape painting because it once belonged to a colonizer! I mean...where does it stop? Editor: I think it's about holding both truths: acknowledging the skill while also understanding the social context. Not necessarily negating the aesthetic value but enriching our understanding of its impact. Curator: Right, like… remembering who made it possible, I suppose. Otherwise, it’s just… nice wood. Well, thanks for making me feel bad about admiring old clocks! Editor: And thank you for reminding me that beauty can be a powerful and complicated thing. This object is less silent now, with a broader narrative for those who listen.