Triple-cased watch 1715 - 1735

Editor: Here we have a 'Triple-cased watch,' crafted between 1715 and 1735 by the Firm of Clarke & Dunster. It's gold and metal, quite decorative, almost sculptural. It makes me wonder, what’s so special about its materiality and manufacture that differentiates this decorative object from, say, a simple functional clock? Curator: Well, consider the gold itself. Gold wasn't just a pretty metal, it signified wealth and power. A watch like this screams consumption, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, but how does the "triple-cased" aspect play into this? Curator: It is excessive! Multiple cases mean more material, more labor invested in production. This elevates a practical instrument into a luxury item, consumed as much for its display value as for its functionality. Consider too, the craft involved. How do you think it compares to other "high art" from this time? Editor: That’s interesting! So the act of casing the watch and creating a design with precious metal can be compared with the work of sculpture making at that time. Also the selection of material and Baroque aesthetic emphasize material wealth. Is it challenging conventional distinctions between the realms of art and mere decoration? Curator: Precisely! The question is: are we so obsessed with authorship that we ignore the extensive labour practices involved in making precious things available to elites? Who cares that "Clarke & Dunster" designed it. We should also celebrate those artisans and craftspeople. Editor: So this watch shows both a unique Baroque period design using rare material that only serves for the elites and raises awareness on workers to create this form of “high art.” It makes me rethink how value is assigned to objects and makers. Curator: Exactly! Next time you look at something seemingly simple, think about the labor, the materials, and the context that brought it into being.