AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 1
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 2
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 3
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 4
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 5
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 6
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 7
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK - photo 8

AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK

Lot 16
02.07.2024 17:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 756 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1250821
Lot 16 | AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK
Estimate value
£ 500 000 – 800 000
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET AUTOMATON, MUSICAL AND STRIKING TABLE CLOCK
GUANGZHOU WORKSHOPS, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795), LATE 18TH CENTURY
CASE AND AUTOMATA: of architectural outline, comprising three tiers; the top drum with automaton bouquet finial with paste-gem set ‘trembling’ flowerheads and green painted metal leaves above an ormolu foliate mount, the convex glazed case housing ingenious automata of eight blue and gilt enamelled cones interspersed with stylised flowerheads rotating about eight further spinning floret discs, all mounted with paste-gems, the rear with pierced silk-backed convex, friction-fit, access panel, raised on four leaf-capped C-scrolls about a central branch housing the automata linkage, the upper galleried platform of rectangular outline with canted angles each with a stiff-leaf clasped vase topped with a pair of Catherine-wheels rotating in opposite directions; the central clock case with paste-gem ornamented flowerheads and trailing foliage about the conforming bezel, the sides with neo-classical flambeau vases within an oval garland of flowers, the rear with silk-backed pierced hinged door; the lower rectangular section with upper gallery enclosing four vases issuing automaton whirligigs in the form of trees, each hung with five tiers of pendant paste-gems in alternating red and green, the central automaton feature with a ‘tribute bearers’ scene; with two rows of painted metal figures interspersed with elephants and horses, mounted on a chain mechanism, parading about a line of trees, the front aperture with further figures and foliage, the back mirrored and the sides painted with architectural scenes, the glazed front with beaded and paste-gem set border, the sides each with reverse glass painted circular reserves depicting figures in landscapes framed by a ribbon-tied laurel wreath, the rear with conforming silk-backed sound fret panel; raised on pierced foliate feet with conforming apron
DIAL: the 5 ¼ inch white enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic quarter hour indications to the minute track, gilt-metal spade pattern hour, minute and seconds hands, hand setting disc to the rear, glazed convex bezel
CLOCK MOVEMENT: with twin chain fusees, knife-edge verge escapement, hour strike on bell mounted to the backplate, the rectangular plates joined by plain pillars, the pendulum with small brass bob, rear wound, trip linkage to the musical and automaton movement below
MUSICAL AUTOMATA MOVEMENT: the movement with substantial chain fusee, with a choice of three tunes, selection wheel to the rear, via a 3 inch pin barrel on eight bells with nine hammers, each tiered section with automaton gearing and linkages, the automata tripping hourly or by depression of button above the lower tier, with engraved gilt-brass winding key
33 ½ in. (85 cm.) high; 14 ¼ in. (36.2 cm.) wide; 11 ¼ in. (28.5 cm.) deep




Provenance

Kaichiro Nezu, Sr., Nezu Museum, Japan;
Christie’s, Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, lot 1508 (sold HK$29,447,500 / £1,917,000 / $3,790,000).
Private collection, France.
Aponem, Paris, 30 June 2023, lot 30.
Applied technique:Automaton, Metalwork
Medium:Brass, Bronze, Gilding
Historical era:Georgian period
Place of origin:China, Eastern Asia, Asia
Auction house category:Clocks - Furnishings, Tables
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
02.07.2024 – 02.07.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>