Table clock c. 1700 - 1725

This table clock was crafted by Jan van Ceulen, its surface adorned with tortoiseshell. The clock’s face is dominated by the golden and silver dial, above which is a painted face of the moon, a potent symbol within the alchemical tradition, representing transformation and the cyclical nature of time. The image of the moon, so prominent here, has ancient roots. Think of the lunar goddesses—Diana or Selene—whose images embody feminine power, intuition, and the rhythms of nature. The moon is not merely a celestial body; it is a mirror reflecting our inner states, our dreams, and our subconscious fears. The presence of this lunar face speaks to our collective fascination with time and mortality. Perhaps this clock, with its rhythmic ticking and the ever-changing face of the moon, serves as a memento mori, a reminder of our fleeting existence and the eternal dance of life and death. Through this clock, the past whispers to the present, inviting us to contemplate the depths of human experience.