Watch 1835 - 1845

Curator: Here we have a "Watch" by F. Pernetti, likely crafted between 1835 and 1845. It is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Wow, what an ornate little piece! My first thought is just how detailed the metalwork is. It is exquisite! Curator: The decorative arts of this period often reflected the societal emphasis on refinement and leisure. Timepieces evolved from mere functional objects to statements of status, especially among the rising merchant classes. Editor: Yes, and if you look closely, the watch's case shows detailed floral patterns, demonstrating skillful craftsmanship in metalworking. These objects demonstrate the time it took to design, make and use them in social rituals. Think of all those labor hours involved in chasing and engraving. It surely was more than just functional. Curator: Precisely. Ownership of such an item displayed one’s capacity to commission luxury goods and to participate in the social rituals that marked elite culture. The design perhaps intentionally references "ancient" designs, lending this contemporary piece some venerable historical weight. Editor: Good point. Thinking about the original function, too, it wasn't just about telling the time, it was about controlling and parceling out labor time itself! How meta. You can almost see it as a miniaturized, ornamented symbol of industrial capitalism itself, marking how newly precious time had become. Curator: Yes, these intricate details and use of precious metals signified wealth, taste, and a perceived connection to tradition and the art world at large. In the broader sweep of art history, artifacts such as this help us understand how societal values influence artistic trends. Editor: And examining its creation makes us aware of not only the elite consumer it catered to, but the working conditions of the craftspeople. Materiality holds many cultural clues to decipher the historical forces that governed our visual landscape. Curator: Exactly. It makes me reflect on how something so small can reveal a far larger story of power, aesthetics and time. Editor: It's an eye-opening, even if time-stopping artifact!