Tall Clock 1879 - 1885

This Tall Clock was made by Tiffany & Co., and it’s a wonderful example of the firm’s exoticizing aesthetic. The clock case is built from richly carved wood, whose weightiness gives the object a stately quality. The carving looks to Islamic design, which was extremely popular in the late 19th century. But it’s the clock face itself that really catches the eye. It is an intricate mechanism made from many interlocking pieces, designed for precise timekeeping. The face is made from contrasting metals, providing a visual hierarchy of information. You can imagine the specialist labor needed to produce such a complex piece. Tiffany's production was highly specialized, bringing together skilled artisans who each contributed a particular expertise. It's a great example of design that draws upon highly skilled traditions of craft, but also reflects a larger system of mass production and consumption. We can appreciate this not just as a beautiful clock, but as a reminder of how design, labor, and cultural exchange intersect.