<I>Wire frame, stopped clock</I>

ca. 1879-1962

The stopped clock flower frame was one of the symbols of mortality, collectively referred to as memento mori (meaning remember you will die), that were used to remind of the brevity of life on earth and encourage living a good life. Instead of a direct, explicit reference to death, such as the skull or skeleton, the clock was used to evoke the mortal condition of mankind and time running out. The stopped clock flower frame was most suitable for men in the prime life. This design was also based on the ritual of stopping the clocks when a person dies. The clock would then be restarted after the burial. This custom continued well into the twentieth century and is still practiced by some today. The time on the clock flower frame was significant of the time of death. In these floral designs, a white face indicated that the time of death was before noon, and a purple face meant it had occurred after noon.