Longcase clock c. 1780

This longcase clock was crafted by Pieter van den Bergh from wood, standing as a striking marker of time and status. During this period, the artistry of clock-making was deeply intertwined with social identity, where owning such a piece signaled wealth and an engagement with Enlightenment ideals of precision and order. Note the clock's height, it would have dominated any room, embodying not only temporal awareness, but also the control and power that came with it. The three figures at the very top, their meaning lost to time, hint at the narratives the owner wanted to convey. Consider how this clock, more than just a functional object, represents the intersection of craftsmanship, social aspiration, and personal narrative. It marks time, while also being a symbol of its own time.