Depicted in a fourteenth-century fresco by Lorenzetti in Sienna, in a sixeenth-century engraving by Dürer in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on Blackbeard the pirate’s flag, and in countless other artworks, the hourglass is a recurring image not only referencing the passage of time, but balance, the sky and the earth, the female figure, and more.

This richly symbolic object is also a calming and beautiful desk accessory. Breathe for five minutes, stretch for thirty minutes, or take a five-minute break to clear your mind as the sand moves in a tranquilizing stream from one chamber to the other.

“Sometimes all you need to be more efficient are some deadlines of just a few minutes sprinkled throughout your day, whether that’s to finish a small project or just to take a screen break. As a creative director, I use a handblown glass timer for 15-minute tasks during a full day of design work. It also makes a nice talking point when people spot it on your desk and inquire. I like that these Burke decor ones come in so many colors.” —Rina Stone, creative director, in The Wall Street Journal

Each hourglass is made of glass and is packaged in a box ready to give as a gift. Choose five-minute or thirty-minute hourglasses.

Five-minute timer available in: blue, turquoise blue, green, or amber. Dimensions: 2" (W) x 3.9" (H)

Thirty-minute timer available in: blue, green, or amber. Dimensions: 3.75" (W) x 6.75" (H)