Table or bracket clock with calendar 1715 - 1725

Editor: Here we have the “Table or bracket clock with calendar,” made between 1715 and 1725 by Daniel Delander. It’s a striking piece, made of wood and metal with Baroque detailing. It seems quite opulent; what’s your take on this decorative clock? Curator: The opulence you’re picking up on speaks volumes. During this period, owning such an elaborate clock wasn't just about telling time; it was a pronounced display of wealth and social standing. Consider the clock’s relationship to scientific advancement and the control of time—what does that mean in terms of class and power? Editor: So, owning something like this wasn't simply about knowing when to attend tea, but about broadcasting status and authority? Curator: Exactly. And who was crafting these objects? Delander, like many artisans, navigated a complex socio-economic landscape. How do you think craftspeople of the period might have viewed their patrons, and the role their work played in perpetuating hierarchies? Editor: It must have been complicated. They're creating beauty and demonstrating skill, yet also solidifying existing inequalities. Were there tensions there, between artistry and social function? Curator: Undoubtedly. These objects weren't created in a vacuum; they were enmeshed in power dynamics. When you see this clock, beyond the aesthetics, what social narratives do you think it embodies? What stories about labor and privilege does it whisper? Editor: I hadn't really considered it that way. I was drawn in by the beautiful craftsmanship, but now I'm also thinking about the social implications of something like this existing. It makes the artistry both more impressive and more problematic, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely. That tension is where the real dialogue begins. Editor: Well, thank you for your insight; I'm walking away with a lot to think about.