The Chinese fascination with European mechanical clocks dates from the late sixteenth century when a Jesuit missionary, Matteo Ricci, arrived in Macao with a clock and other works of art. These were to be presented to local dignitaries to try to gain support for the order. Whilst the furniture and paintings were much admired, it was the clock that attracted the most attention. The fact that it was able to operate under its own power was something that had not been seen in China since the water clocks many centuries earlier. As word of this mechanical marvel spread, more clocks were brought from Europe and given as presents until eventually, in 1601, Ricci was able to present clocks to the emperor. They were called zimingzhong (self-sounding bells) and were highly prized. In fact, demand was such that a workshop dedicated solely to western-style clocks was established by the Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722) among the palace workshops which was to be the beginning of a native clockmaking industry. With the help of Jesuit missionaries who supplied the technical knowledge and skills, Chinese clockmakers were trained and soon Chinese-made pieces joined those clocks that continued to arrive from the West.

The 17th and 18th Centuries saw an explosion of European interest in all things Chinese. The import of goods such as tea, silks and porcelain from China grew rapidly but it was a one-way trade with the Chinese showing little interest in English commodities. The East India Company found that trading conditions were never easy and it was often essential to present lavish gifts in order to facilitate deals. High quality novelty clocks and watches made in London proved popular gifts and, as they filtered into the upper echelons of Chinese society, demand for these zimingzhong or 'sing-songs' increased. Ian White in his book English Clocks for the Eastern Markets explains in detail about the growth in this trade and collecting in China. The Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795) was an avid collector of all types of timepieces and automatons and his enthusiasm for both European and Chinese-made clocks and watches saw no limit. He had thousands of European and Chinese clocks in his collection that were prized for their novelty and design and were aimed at mesmerizing the beholder.

John Mottram is recorded as working at Warden Court, Clerkenwell Close, London, between 1780 and 1811 and his output appears to have been almost entirely composed of clocks for export to China. Clocks by Mottram are still to be found in the Palace Collection, Beijing and are highly prized by collectors worldwide. John Mottram is probably best known for the clocks that he produced in rectangular cases with scroll corners, a style also used by Henry Borrell in his clocks made for the Chinese market. Much less common are the tower or pagoda clocks as in this present example and also the ‘Swan Clock’ which was sold in Sotheby’s Treasures sale on 9th July 2014 for £2,266,500 . Far more complicated and more highly decorated, the tiered pagoda clocks are amongst the most spectacular clocks ever produced. The finest clocks for the Chinese market were very often produced in pairs and this magnificent clock is no exception. Its pair is now in the collection of the National Trust at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire.