Clock-watch 1665 - 1675

Editor: This is a "Clock-watch," made between 1665 and 1675 by Jeremie Gregorie, and housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's crafted from metal, and categorized as decorative Islamic art. I am immediately struck by its delicate floral designs – what do you make of them? Curator: The floral motifs speak volumes. Consider how floral patterns, particularly the rosette at the center, operate as symbols of paradise, often tied to the concept of cyclical time and eternal life within Islamic artistic traditions. The repetition and intricacy could symbolize the infinite nature of time itself. Editor: That's fascinating! So, the watch is not just a time-telling device, but also a symbolic object? Curator: Precisely. Ask yourself, what does time *mean* within the context of faith and mortality? Time, visualized, domesticated, worn on your person. In the 17th century, a personal clock was much more than a timekeeping tool – a true status symbol loaded with cultural meaning. Look closely – what visual clues tell you about the relationship between secular and sacred? Editor: The Western numerals next to the Arabic calligraphy feels significant, maybe it reflects cross-cultural exchange. Is this piece typical of the era? Curator: Indeed. It reflects a period of intense exchange and innovation. The integration of these different scripts hints at both a practical need for wider understanding and the blending of different intellectual traditions. How might such an object have been viewed across different cultural contexts? Editor: I see it as a beautiful example of how art and functionality can come together. The layered symbolism and careful craft is amazing. Curator: It’s a potent reminder that even the most practical objects can be powerful conveyors of cultural memory and interconnectedness, reflecting deeply held beliefs and values.