Mantel clock c. 1768

0:00

brass, gold, bronze, sculpture

brass

gold

bronze

figuration

sculpture

decorative-art

rococo

Dimensions height 87 cm, width 42 cm, depth 26.5 cm

This anonymous mantel clock, crafted from gilt bronze, presents a fascinating interplay of symbols that resonate across cultures and epochs. The lyre-shaped frame, adorned with leaves, evokes classical antiquity and the harmony of Apollo, god of music and light. But atop this emblem of order sits a dragon, a creature of chaos and primordial power. This juxtaposition is not merely decorative. The dragon, a symbol found in both Eastern and Western mythologies, represents the untamed aspects of the human psyche. In ancient Greece, dragons guarded sacred places, embodying both terror and wisdom. Consider how this image might tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with time's relentless march and the unknown future. The clock, a symbol of measured time, is guarded by a timeless mythical creature. We are left to wonder, is time a soothing melody or a beast to be reckoned with?

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Large gilt-bronze mantel clocks from Paris were considered symbols of wealth and good taste throughout Europe. For example, in the 18th century, Swedish kings purchased two mantel clocks of this model. The clock’s plain, monumental shape – a lyre with a wounded dragon – is an early example of the Neoclassical style.