Women's Watch with a Chain and a Key c. 1820 - 1850

This women’s watch with a chain and a key was designed by Blondeau in France, but its exact date is unknown. Watches like these became fashionable during the Victorian era, a time where industrial production made items like watches more affordable. But make no mistake: this was still an item associated with wealth, designed to be worn as jewelry. Think about the cultural significance of time in this period, driven by industrialization and the rise of the bourgeoisie. Time became money in the 19th century, and a watch like this served as a status symbol. It also came at a time when gender roles were strongly defined, with women largely confined to the domestic sphere. So, the watch could also be seen as a symbol of the restricted roles and expectations placed upon women. Historians can consult sources like fashion magazines, social commentaries, and even literature to understand the various ways such objects reflected and reinforced social norms. Understanding art requires seeing it in the context of social and institutional forces that shaped its production and reception.