Watch 1750 - 1799

This exquisite watch was crafted by Jean Antoine Lépine. During the 18th century, timepieces like this weren’t just functional, they were potent symbols of status and identity. The portrait on the watch—likely a member of the aristocracy—offers us a glimpse into the rigid social hierarchies of the time. Consider the position of women, often confined to roles dictated by marriage and family, their likenesses adorning objects of male prestige. With its intricate detailing, it speaks to the prevailing aesthetic values and the socio-economic landscape of pre-revolutionary France. It serves not only as a marker of time but also as a looking glass into a world on the brink of dramatic upheaval. A reflection of societal power structures, and the personal stories interwoven within them.