Important Watches I

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2260. A magnificent and important Chinese ormolu, enamel and paste-set striking, musical and automaton clock | Qing Dynasty, Late 19th Century with earlier parts.

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A magnificent and important Chinese ormolu, enamel and paste-set striking, musical and automaton clock | Qing Dynasty, Late 19th Century with earlier parts

Premium Lot

Premium Lots

Auction Closed

April 24, 08:45 AM GMT

Estimate

8,000,000 - 20,000,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

A magnificent and important Chinese ormolu, enamel and paste-set striking, musical and automaton clock

Qing Dynasty, Late 19^th Century with earlier parts

Dial: paste gem-set bezel, white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic indexes

Movement: English, late 18th Century and stamped for A & I THWAITES, numbered 534 with rectangular plates, the back plate with Chinese engraved border, twin chain and fusée verge escapement, and an hour strikes on a bell, musical automaton movement probably Chinese, late 18th Century, playing a selection of six tunes changed by a paste-set knob to the right side, on a barrel with eight bells and ten hammers

Case: the base raised on an acanthus cast plinth moulding above elaborately cast foliate feet, the panels with blue enamels, gilt, green and red enamels forming a floral-display, the front with a glazed automaton scene within a paste-set border, the glass panel reverse-painted at the edges and also framed below by a cut out painted metal scene, depicting foliage and animals, with central mirror-backed automaton waterfall feature, the sides with florally-decorated blue enamel panels, the rear applied with stylised acorn and flowerhead mounts beside a painted metal panel depicting European figures in a landscape beside the sea, with paper inventory label 12. The middle with openwork gallery featuring two elongated knop finials to each angle, with leaf-wrapped baluster vases to all four corners, each topped by a paste-set automaton whirligig, the clock above an automaton feature with four circular apertures and behind them four sets of automaton characters, reading auspicious phrases, the upper side panels glazed over painted metal panels depicting stylised European figures in harbour landscapes, with small urn finials to all angle and with plain glass door to the rear;

The top bordered by an openwork gallery and the four corners with vases and paste-set whirligigs, the back with a silk-backed panel of pierced ormolu leaves and flowerheads, the front with a mirror-backed two-tiered paste set automaton catherine-wheel, with an urn mounted above topped by paste-set automaton flowerheads

Automata: hourly, or at will by turning a paste-set knob to the left side base panel, the whirligigs all turn and the medallions at the front of the case revolve to reveal a line of four different auspicious phrases, the catherine-wheel spins and at the top the mount turns whilst the flowerheads also revolve, all while music plays

Size: 90 cm high x 41 cm wide x 31 cm deep

Magnificent Clocks for the Chinese Imperial Court from the Nezu Museum, Christie’s Hong Kong, Tuesday 27 May 2008, lot 1513, sold for HKD 33,927,500

宏偉及重要英國製中式鎏金及琺琅鑲料石報時、音樂、活動轉花及轉字座鐘

清代，19世紀晚期，備早期部件

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"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."