Hourglass on an Inscribed Tablet [reverse] 

This is "Hourglass on an Inscribed Tablet" by Matthes Gebel, a small medal made of silver in the 16th century. The medal presents a fascinating interplay of geometric forms and symbolic elements. The circular boundary contains a rectangular tablet with an hourglass above, and other objects below. The composition invites a structuralist reading, where the contrasting shapes are not merely aesthetic choices, but reflect deeper philosophical concerns. The inscription on the tablet is framed by the hourglass above and other symbols below, suggesting a hierarchy of meaning. This arrangement could be seen as a semiotic system, where each element functions as a sign, contributing to a larger message about time, knowledge, and mortality. Notice how the inscription is contained within the borders of the tablet, yet the phrase continues around the edge of the circle. This tension between containment and continuity challenges fixed meanings and categories. The artwork invites us to reflect on how symbols function within cultural codes to produce and transmit knowledge.