Lot Essay
US$100,000-150,000
.jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A FAR EASTERN COLLECTOR
A GEORGE III ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET MUSICAL AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1790
Details
A GEORGE III ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET MUSICAL AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK, MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
Unsigned, circa 1790
The case with red and white paste-set automaton pineapple finial to the top supported by a baldachin centred by a kneeling figure with plumed hat and automaton arm striking the hours on a bell within the canopy, a paste-set whirly-gig below to the front, the four columns entwined with foliate garlands centred at the base with a white enamel seconds dial raised within a foliate engraved casing within a foliate and beaded gallery, the rectangular movement casing with applied palmette mounts to the angles and musical trophies to the sides and all supported on recumbant lions with adjoining garland swags and paste-set automaton trees to the left and right side supported on ormolu crowns, the glazed movement casing applied with further palmette mounts to the angles, the front with automaton scene depicting a fine European house with white brick facade and grey tiled roof within a parkland setting and with automaton figures and animals passing in front, the whole case supported on elephants joined by ribbon-tied garlands of flowers, the clock with later white enamel Roman dial signed Jas. GOWLAND LONDON with blued steel hands, the single chain fusée movement with verge escapement and strike on the bell within the canopy above the clock, the music tripped every three hours playing fine music on nine bells via nine hammers and with large chain fusée and spring barrel, the hour train also housed within the base with further fusée and chain
71 cm. high
Unsigned, circa 1790
The case with red and white paste-set automaton pineapple finial to the top supported by a baldachin centred by a kneeling figure with plumed hat and automaton arm striking the hours on a bell within the canopy, a paste-set whirly-gig below to the front, the four columns entwined with foliate garlands centred at the base with a white enamel seconds dial raised within a foliate engraved casing within a foliate and beaded gallery, the rectangular movement casing with applied palmette mounts to the angles and musical trophies to the sides and all supported on recumbant lions with adjoining garland swags and paste-set automaton trees to the left and right side supported on ormolu crowns, the glazed movement casing applied with further palmette mounts to the angles, the front with automaton scene depicting a fine European house with white brick facade and grey tiled roof within a parkland setting and with automaton figures and animals passing in front, the whole case supported on elephants joined by ribbon-tied garlands of flowers, the clock with later white enamel Roman dial signed Jas. GOWLAND LONDON with blued steel hands, the single chain fusée movement with verge escapement and strike on the bell within the canopy above the clock, the music tripped every three hours playing fine music on nine bells via nine hammers and with large chain fusée and spring barrel, the hour train also housed within the base with further fusée and chain
71 cm. high
Provenance
By repute, presented to the Chinese Emperor by George III, circa 1790 and brought back to England by Lord Amhurst after the Boxer Rebellion, circa 1900
It is thought that the lions and crowns beneath the two automaton features, flanking the clock case, are emblems that represent the British Royal Crown
Sotheby's, London, 13th December, 1965, Lot 89
Abler Museum, Wuppertal, Germany, 1965-1997, Ullstein Uhrenbuch, illustrated, front cover
It is thought that the lions and crowns beneath the two automaton features, flanking the clock case, are emblems that represent the British Royal Crown
Sotheby's, London, 13th December, 1965, Lot 89
Abler Museum, Wuppertal, Germany, 1965-1997, Ullstein Uhrenbuch, illustrated, front cover