Wall Clock c. 1936

Thomas Holloway made this design for a Wall Clock during the late 18th or early 19th century. Holloway was active during a period of significant social and economic change, as England transitioned into an industrial nation. This delicate design reflects the values of the time, which saw the rise of the middle class and a growing interest in domesticity and personal refinement. Timepieces became status symbols which served as emblems of order and progress. Yet, who had the time and space for such luxurious items? The clock's ornamentation, with its pastoral scene and decorative motifs, evokes a sense of idealized nature. The clock combines the notions of nature, progress, and status within a single object. It reflects the complex interplay between aspiration, design, and the human desire to mark our fleeting existence.