A George III gilt-brass quarter striking musical automaton table clock for the Chinese market, William Hughes, London, circa 1775

A George III gilt-brass quarter striking musical automaton table clock for the Chinese market, William Hughes, London, circa 1775

4¾-inch enamel dial with gilt hands and centre seconds, finely cast gilt rococo corners, the arch with a painted automaton scene of figures in 18th century costume parading in a rural landscape, the three train fusee and chain movement with deadbeat escapement, trip repeat quarter striking and playing a tune on a nest of eight bells every other hour or at will, the backplate engraved with foliate scrolls and signed Willm Hughes, London, the case with broken-arch top and flambeau urn finials above canted corners with floral swag mounts, scale side frets, the moulded base with tasselled drape and rosette mounts, on foliate bracket feet

37cm 14½in high