A George III ormolu and enamel quarter striking musical table clock for the Chinese market, John Mottram, London, circa 1780

3-inch enamel dial with centre seconds, paste-set bezel, the mask enamelled with a neo-classical floral design in gilt, red and green on a translucent blue engine-turned ground, the three train fusee and chain movement with verge escapement, the pinned cylinder playing four tunes at the hour or at will with seventeen hammers on a nest of ten bells and striking the hours and quarters on the two largest bells, the backplate with engraved edge and signed John Mottram, London, the case with domed top and five finials above scroll corners and scroll feet, the whole elaborately engraved with geometric foliage 

Sotheby's, New York, 25th October 2000, Lot 60.
European Private Collection.

Dial in good condition. Enamel mask has some old damage around the hand set and also between III and IIII. Movement is complete but very much in need of a clean and service, music and striking running at time of cataloguing but would benefit from service. Case in generally good condition retaining the original gilding. With a winder and hand set key.
"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."

John Mottram is recorded as working at Warden Court, Clerkenwell Close, London between 1780 and 1810 and is particularly known for his musical clocks for the Far Eastern market.

From the time the first clocks were brought to China from Europe in around 1582, the Chinese Emperors were fascinated with European mechanical clockworks. As objects of curiosity and items of luxury, these early mechanical clocks incorporated mechanisms that could support accessory functions including music and animated figures. European clocks were called 'zimingzhong' or 'self-sounding bells' by the Chinese for their musical chimes and striking bells and were received by the Qing court with great enthusiasm. The demand was such that a workshop dedicated solely to western-style clocks was established by the Kangxi Emperor (r. 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. Contemporary sources suggest that by the end of the first quarter of the eighteenth century, clocks in the numbered in their thousands. The Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-1795) in particular 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 aimed at mesmerizing the beholder and were prized for their novelty and design. More than 4000 examples were known to have existed in the Imperial Palaces and their chiming was to be heard throughout the day.

Two clocks with similar case design were sold Christie's, Hong Kong, Clocks from the Nezu Museum, 27th May, 2008, lot 1512 also by John Mottram London and lot 1515 by Henry Borrell.

An identical clock by this maker was sold Sotheby's, New York, 6th December 2011, Lot 284 for $134,500.