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
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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.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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02.07.2024 – 02.07.2024
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