Horloge met een geëmailleerde voorstelling van twee vrouwen bij een wieg c. 1400 - 1950

This is a watch by Chevalier & Comp. featuring an enameled scene of two women with a cradle. The sentimental image on this timepiece opens a window onto the expected roles of women, particularly within the domestic sphere. During this period, a woman's identity was often closely tied to her roles as mother and caregiver. We see the figures of women, presumably mother and caregiver, attending to a baby. The act of watching over a cradle becomes symbolic of a woman's life, dedicated to nurturing and maintaining the family. As we reflect on the watch's original owner, we can also consider how the concept of time itself plays a role. Time, measured by the watch, becomes a marker of life lived within these prescribed roles. Yet, there's also a quiet resistance in simply observing and acknowledging these constructs. This watch is not merely an instrument for telling time, but a poignant reflection on societal expectations and personal experiences.