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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Hourglass

Daniel Arsham, Hourglass (White)

Partially verified

This editioned sculpture titled Hourglass (White) was designed by contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. According to Christie's, the work was executed in 2019 and is numbered 417 from an edition of 500, marked with the artist's logo on an anti-counterfeit label on its original presentation box. Composed of glass and cast resin, the transparent vessel holds white sand and encloses sculpted geometric and eroded cast elements inside both bulbs.

Daniel Arsham Hourglass (White), glass and cast resin, edition 417/500
Daniel Arsham Hourglass (White), glass and cast resin, edition 417/500 — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Clock · Hourglass
Maker / attribution
Daniel Arsham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
2019
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
417/500

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identity and Documentation

This work is titled 'Hourglass (White)' and was designed by Daniel Arsham (b. 1980). It is an editioned object, numbered 417/500.

Documentation from the source states the work was executed in 2019 and includes an anti-counterfeit label on the original presentation box, which features the artist's logo and the edition number. The original presentation box is not depicted in the provided visual source.

Evidence for this section
  • “DANIEL ARSHAM (B. 1980) Hourglass (White)”
  • “stamped artist’s logo, numbered ‘417/500’ (on the anti-counterfeit label on the box)”
  • “Executed in 2019”
  • “edition 417/500”

Construction and Composition

The sculpture is composed of glass and cast resin. It takes the form of an hourglass with flattened circular top and bottom rims.

The vessel is transparent and contains fine white sand. The structure is described by the source as being in overall good condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “glass and cast resin sculpture”
  • “The work is accompanied by its original packaging and is structurally sound. It is in our opinion that the work is in overall good condition.”

Internal Elements

The sculpture features internal sculpted elements within the glass housing. The upper chamber contains a mineral-like cluster, while the lower chamber contains eroded rectangular forms.

The white sand is positioned in relation to these sculpted forms, settling in the lower chamber.

Evidence for this section
  • “Upper bulb contains an suspended or mounted light grey sculpted mineral/crystal-like cluster”
  • “Lower bulb contains partially submerged sculpted eroded rectangular forms”

Open research questions

  • What is the functional intent of the sculpture regarding the flow of sand between the bulbs?
  • Are the internal sculpted elements strictly decorative or intended to represent specific geological or archeological themes?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Daniel Arsham, Hourglass (White)
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MaterialsGlass and cast resin sculpture“glass and cast resin sculpture with the original presentation box”
Dimensions24.5 (H) x 13 x 13 cm“24.5 (H) x 13 x 13 cm. (9 5/8 x 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in.)”
Execution Date2019“Executed in 2019”
Edition417/500“edition 417/500”
ProvenancePrivate Collection, Asia“Provenance Private Collection, Asia”

Visible details

  • Transparent glass hourglass form with flattened circular top and bottom rims
  • Contains fine white sand settling in the lower chamber
  • Upper bulb contains an suspended or mounted light grey sculpted mineral/crystal-like cluster
  • Lower bulb contains partially submerged sculpted eroded rectangular forms

Research qualifications

  • Original presentation box and anti-counterfeit label reported by the source are not depicted in the image
  • Run time or functional accuracy as an operational sandglass is not stated

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

DANIEL ARSHAM (B. 1980), Hourglass (White) | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 73066c0580

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other hourglass records