Watch stand (Watch holder)

Description

Shells, rose blossom garlands, and bulrushes swaying in an imaginary breeze leave no doubt that nature’s elements inspired the form of this highly-finished brass watch stand. The golden color and allegorical figure of Father Time (Chronos) with a cockrel (day), owl (night), and a cherub add layers of refinement to this sculptural pocket watch holder. England’s brass workers sometimes directly copied such French rococo design elements to appeal to venturesome, small Francophile markets at home and in British colonies. A British brass founder's pattern book printed in about 1770 includes a nearly identical design for this watch stand. In Japan, at least one ceramic version (Arita ware) was produced around the same time.