Bracket clock c. 1820

This bracket clock was created by the Meissen Porcelain Factory. Observe how the interplay between the clock's rigid, geometric structure and the organic, flowing elements creates a visually engaging tension. The clock face, wreathed in delicate porcelain flowers, presents a stark contrast to the cherubic figure lounging at its base, an allegorical figure of love holding a burning torch. The semiotic value here relies on conventional signs; the doves at the apex traditionally symbolize peace and love, enhancing the clock’s theme of romantic time. The polychromatic palette—dominated by pastel hues—softens the overall form, yet the clock's sharp edges and right angles imply control and precision that counter the softer associations of its decorative motifs. It ultimately reflects the era’s complex negotiation between the burgeoning Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and the Rococo period’s celebration of ornamentation.