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The Hourglass — It’s Having a Moment
A timepiece used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the hourglass became a must-have for nautical navigation. The sinuous shape with the pinched middle may have even inspired fashionable women to wear corsets. Explore this ever-popular form that’s been treated to sleek redesigns in the Houzz Shop.
Add a fresh or traditional note to decor with an hourglass
Ancient Sand Clocks
Time is measured by how long it takes for the sand in one end of the hourglass to run out into the other chamber. Historians say the ancient Greeks and Romans didn’t leave behind any examples of their hourglasses, but it’s said they used them to curtail long-winded speeches given in Roman senate. Hourglasses first appeared in Europe during the eighth century and were commonplace in Italy a few centuries later. All hourglasses feature two globes connected by a narrow opening.
A Fashionable Shape
Classical painters and sculptors captured an idealized version of the female form, with equal proportions that mimic the shape of an hourglass. But only a small percentage of women actually have that wasp-waisted figure. Throughout the years others have tried to attain it with the help of corsets, crash diets and more drastic measures.
Modern Hourglasses
These days the metal or wood that protected an ancient hourglass from getting broken on a stormy voyage is no longer needed. The new hourglass is a sleek and sinuous design objet with two globes that are fully exposed, perhaps showing off colored sand. Add an hourglass to a console or mantel vignette, or place one on your desk to help you keep track of time.
Inspired Designs
The hourglass shape has inspired countless industrial and furniture designers, including Marcel Wanders and Philippe Starck, who gave his functional Prince Aha storage stool the classic shape. The playful shape reminds us of a voluptuous curves, figure eights and the infinite passage of time.
Hourglass Stool, Fiber Cement
$929$737
Alder Kiss Dining Table
$7,300
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Wish to purchase one of the hourglasses shown here but says it can't ship to location. Where in Canada can I have the item shipped?