Wooden Zodiac Hourglass with Sun Motif (1.5 Minutes, Mid-20th Century)

An all-wooden hourglass crowned with Renaissance-style solar emblems on both ends. At its heart, a radiant Sun Face beams with life force, illumination, and vitality — an image borrowed from astrology, alchemy, and tarot. Surrounding the sun are four zodiac signs in ornate lettering: Gemini (the Twins), Leo (the Lion), Aries (the Ram), and Pisces (the Fish). Together, they form a zodiacal cross, a pattern often tied to the elements, the seasons, or the cosmic balance of the heavens.

The design is reminiscent of 18th–19th century European astrological charts, merging esoteric illustration with practical craftsmanship. Its pink sand runs for precisely 90 seconds — short enough to be practical, long enough to feel eternal.

Usage (Then & Now)

• Then: Likely crafted as a decorative ritual timer, a playful game-piece, or an esoteric curiosity for the mystically inclined.

• Now: Ideal for meditation, tarot sessions, or simply pausing the rush of modern life with a ritual gesture — flip, breathe, watch time pour away.

Obscure Lore
Legend insists that if you flip the hourglass and whisper your zodiac sign before the last grain of sand falls, the Sun will carry your wish to the heavens. Skeptics may scoff; mystics call it destiny measured in pink sand.

Modern Appeal
A striking hybrid of mystical art and functional object, this piece doubles as a talisman of the zodiac and a gentle reminder that time is both cosmic and intimate.