Watch 17th century

Editor: This intriguing object is a 17th-century watch currently residing at The Met. The watch is primarily made of metal, featuring intaglio, relief, engraving and sculpting techniques. It looks very ornate and quite detailed. What is particularly interesting about this piece, in your view? Curator: Well, as a materialist, what immediately jumps out is the sheer labor invested in this tiny object. Think of the social context: the extraction of the metals, the skill needed for such minute engraving and relief work, the highly specialized craftspeople involved. Was this a unique piece? How much did something like this cost relative to a laborer’s wage? It begs the question, who could afford this level of decorative craftsmanship? Editor: That's fascinating; I hadn't thought about it that way. It highlights the economic disparities of the time through the lens of craft and production. Are there specific design elements or materials that speak to that social status beyond the craftsmanship? Curator: The precious metals themselves are markers of wealth. But consider, too, how the act of telling time transitions from public, communal sundials to personal, portable objects of adornment. The wealthy could literally *own* time in a way the working class, bound to agrarian or artisanal schedules, simply could not. How does that shift impact the culture, or one's lived experience? The decorative program– the subject matter selected and who it spoke to– would also likely tell us more. Editor: That makes me see the watch in a new light. It’s not just a timepiece; it’s a symbol of power, wealth, and the control over labor and even time itself. Curator: Precisely. And appreciating its value requires acknowledging the hidden hands that brought it into being, transforming raw materials into this extraordinary piece of art. Hopefully, this will give visitors a deeper connection and fresh questions.