Half-hour sandglass, gilded silver and bronze (ca. 1500–25) German artisans crafted this finely wrought sandglass during the early sixteenth century, likely within the production center of Nuremberg. It features gilded silver and bronze housing designed for the highest end of the luxury market. Such instruments served as durable and maintenance-free alternatives to mechanical clocks for timing prayer and meditation. Loc. The Met, New York. Dim. 8.3 x 8.4 cm (3 1/4 x 3 5/16 in.).












