Greek Palmette Watch

Description

The classic design of our Greek Palmette Watch was inspired by the popular palmette pattern found on many objects in the Museum's collections including a bucket- shaped vase for wine. This piece presents an appropriately spirited depiction of the wine-god Dionysos driving his griffin-drawn chariot to a gathering of his followers. On the back, Dionysos is seated between a satyr and a maenad and is surrounded by his attributes, including a fawn, a cista (cylindrical box), and wreaths. This ornamental palmette motif, based on the fan shaped leaves of the palm tree, can be found on the handle of the original vase.

Water resistant case. Printed plastic band. Case: 1 1/4'' diam. Band: adjusts from 5 7/8'' to 7 7/8''.

Art History

Classical ornamental motifs were revived during the Renaissance and later in the eighteenth century as there was a renewed interest in Greek and Roman civilization. This was especially true in the second half of the eighteenth century in Europe, where a renewed interest in all aspects of Greek and Roman civilization led to the increasing influence of classical antiquity on artistic creations. By the 1770s Neoclassicism came to dominate European architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, and it remained a stylistic force well into the nineteenth century.