Design for Anthony Denny's Clocksalt 1543

This is a design in pen and ink by Hans Holbein the Younger, dating from the 1530s. It depicts a "clocksalt" for Anthony Denny, a member of Henry VIII’s court. More than just a table ornament, this elaborate object combines a clock, a sundial, and a container for salt, a valuable commodity at the time. The design is filled with symbolic meaning. A compass and armillary sphere suggest navigation and knowledge, while the putti and crown imply status and divine right. The naked figure in the center, trapped in an hourglass, is a "man of sorrows," a reference to Christ's Passion. Made in England during the Reformation, this object would have been a bold statement of faith, connecting Denny to both earthly power and religious conviction. Holbein's skill in rendering perspective and detail speaks to the sophisticated artistic culture of the Tudor court. By studying such designs, along with letters, inventories, and other historical documents, we can better understand the complex interplay of art, religion, and power in 16th-century England.