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Decorative Timekeeping Across Cultures

May 2026

These objects are all ornate clocks from various time periods and regions, showcasing how timekeeping devices served as both functional instruments and decorative art objects across different cultures from the 16th to 19th centuries.

48 objects · 5 institutions

Automaton Clock in the Shape of a Lion
IIIF

Automaton Clock in the Shape of a Lion

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1630

Bracket Clock
IIIF

Bracket Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1756

Bracket Clock
IIIF

Bracket Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1695

Cabinet Clock

Cabinet Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1770–75

Carriage Clock
IIIF

Carriage Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1725

Celestial globe with clockwork

Celestial globe with clockwork

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1579

Clock
IIIF

Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1775

Clock

Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1750

Clock

Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1750

Clock

Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1785

Clock
IIIF

Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1727–30

Clock

Clock

Metropolitan Museum of Art

ca. 1825–30

Clock on Bracket (Cartel sur une console)
IIIF

Clock on Bracket (Cartel sur une console)

GETTY

about 1758

Cross-Shaped Clock

Cross-Shaped Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1580–1600

Cross-Shaped Clock

Cross-Shaped Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1600

Egyptian Revival Clock
IIIF

Egyptian Revival Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1875/90

Harlequin Family Clock
IIIF

Harlequin Family Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1740

Lighthouse Clock
IIIF

Lighthouse Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1825–30

Long Case Clock
IIIF

Long Case Clock

GETTY

about 1755

Mantel Clock
IIIF

Mantel Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1875/80

Mantel Clock

Mantel Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1780–90

Mantel Clock
IIIF

Mantel Clock

GETTY

about 1772

Mantel Clock
IIIF

Mantel Clock

GETTY

about 1790–1800

Mantel Clock (Pendule)
IIIF

Mantel Clock (Pendule)

GETTY

about 1715–1725

Mantel clock with musical movement

Mantel clock with musical movement

Metropolitan Museum of Art

ca. 1784

Mantle Clock

Mantle Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

1901

Pedestal Clock
IIIF

Pedestal Clock

GETTY

late 19th–early 20th century

Shelf Clock
IIIF

Shelf Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1820–40

Shelf Clock
IIIF

Shelf Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1902

Table Clock
IIIF

Table Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1575/1625

Table Clock
IIIF

Table Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1675

Table clock

Table clock

Metropolitan Museum of Art

late 16th century

Table clock in the shape of Atlas

Table clock in the shape of Atlas

Rijksmuseum

c. 1603 - c. 1628

Table clock with calendar

Table clock with calendar

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1881

Tall Case Clock
IIIF

Tall Case Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1820–84

Tall Case Clock
IIIF

Tall Case Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1806

Tall Case Clock
IIIF

Tall Case Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1750

Tall Case Clock
IIIF

Tall Case Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

1765–75

Tall Clock

Tall Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1880

Tall- case Clock (Regulateur)

Tall- case Clock (Regulateur)

Cleveland Museum of Art

1744

Tall-Case Clock
IIIF

Tall-Case Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1770

Timepiece
IIIF

Timepiece

Art Institute of Chicago

1802–5

Wall Clock
IIIF

Wall Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1880

Wall Clock
IIIF

Wall Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1750

Wall Clock

Wall Clock

Cleveland Museum of Art

c. 1750–1760

Wall Clock
IIIF

Wall Clock

Art Institute of Chicago

c. 1735–40

Wall Clock (pendule d'alcove)
IIIF

Wall Clock (pendule d'alcove)

GETTY

about 1710

Wall Clock on Bracket
IIIF

Wall Clock on Bracket

GETTY

about 1764