An Elaborate Paste-Set Silver and Gilt and Silvered-Brass Quarter Chiming Table Clock with Alarm, Robert Ward, London, Circa 1785

3¼-inch  silvered chapter ring set on a shaped enamelled plate decorated with a border of polychrome flowers and at the centre with a harbour scene below an inset plaque signed Robt. Ward, London, concentric alarm hand, strike/silent dial in the arch, the three train fusee movement with verge escapement, trip repeat chiming the quarters on a nest of six bells and striking the hour on a further bell, the pull-wound alarm train acting on the hour bell, the foliate engraved backplate signed as the dial, the cartouche-shaped case with oval dome top surmounted by a flower finial flanked by winged dragons above a frieze fret decorated with scientific instruments, the body of the case with fluted finials to the canted corners applied with musical trophy mounts, the sides with carying handles above finely detailed martial frets, the outset base with tasselled border and raised on trumpeting elephant feet, the area above the front door applied with a mount of King George III flanked by the Lion and Unicorn and martial trophies, the reverse applied with a similar mount depicting Queen Charlotte

Collection of John Carlton-Smith, London.

In good clean restored condition throughout, small piece of cladding lacking from front lower corner, enamelling to dial restored, strike/silent selection not operating. With winder.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Although no direct documentation exists, the presence of Royal insignia would indicate that it is possible that this clock was part of an extensive tribute made by King George III through the embassies (the diplomatic missions) to China in the late 18th Century. The likely prospect is the Macartney Embassy of 1793 which was known to have presented clocks to the Emperor and given great thought and planning to their commission.

The Macartney Embassy was the first official diplomatic mission of the English Crown to China, after the failed attempt of the Cathcart Embassy of 1788. Cathcart died en route and the Embassy was terminated. Sir George Staunton published a general list of the extensive gifts of the Macartney embassy which includes the prominence of clocks and watches, wherein he also refers to some items as coming from the aborted Cathcart embassy of 1788.

A great deal of thought and planning was given to the choice of gifts of King George III to Qianlong in these embassies. The Macartney embassy was the first official English diplomatic mission to reach the Chinese Court. These embassies were meant to open up meaningful dialogue and trade between the countries and represented significant diplomatic overtures in the hopes of securing a permanent diplomatic presence in China.

Robert Ward was a renowned maker of musical clocks in the late 18th century. He exported some of his finest, most elaborate work to the Turkish and Chinese markets. A gilded copper musical clock with the figure of a boy and a sheep is in the Beijing Palace Museum in the Forbidden City. He worked in London on Abchurch Lane after 1768 and was a member of the Clockmakers Company from 1779 until his death in 1808. In addition to his clock in the Forbidden City Collection, his works were in the Turkish Marryat and Ilbert collections.

A similar clock is published on the front cover of Dr I. White, English Clocks for the Eastern Markets. English Clockmakers Trading in China & the Ottoman Empire 1580-1815, London, 2012.