Tall Clock c. 1935

This is John Dieterich’s rendering of a tall clock. Note the star motif emblazoned upon its base—a symbol resonant across cultures and epochs. This eight-pointed star shares a kinship with the Star of Ishtar, a potent symbol of divinity and cosmic order in ancient Mesopotamia. The Star of Ishtar, embodying both Venus and the celestial, recurs throughout history—observed through Renaissance astral maps and even adorning heraldic emblems. It embodies not only celestial guidance but also themes of hope and destiny. Such a design element speaks to the human desire to impose order upon the chaos of existence, to find oneself in the cyclical rhythm of time. And so, as we contemplate this clock, may we recognize the enduring resonance of symbols across time, continually shaping our understanding of self and cosmos.