Hour-glass

A 60-minute glass, one half of which is divided into four 15-minute ampoules. It is filled with ochre sand. The central joint is made of leather and bound over with fine gold wire. The hexagonal brass stand has six wire supports. Where the glass touches the stand, there is an ornate brass surround pierced with heart shapes. The bases are engraved with slightly different designs: one has shell and foliage decoration around a sacred heart pierced by thorns, the other has shell and foliage decoration around a sacred heart pierced by a dagger. The stand is similar to those of AST0052, AST0053, AST0055, AST0056, AST0072 and AST0075.

Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection