銅貼金銀嵌藍料二問報時音樂動偶座鐘 Francis Perigal, Royal Exchange, 倫敦製, 約 1790 年

4¼-inch enamel dial with centre seconds and signed Perigal, Royal Exchange, London, within a silver and champleve enamel surround and with subsidiary dial for chime/silent and tune selaction to the lower corners, the arch with a painted automaton scene with figures walking in a rural landscape, the substantial three train fusee movement with verge escapement, quarter striking on two bells and playing one of four tunes on the hour or at will on a nest of ten bells with ten hammers, the foliate engraved backplate signed as the dial, the gothic revival case surmounted by a cupola with flambeau finial, the open gallery containing automaton ships encircling a fixed group of waterfall rods, the body of the case with further automaton scenes to the sides displaying birds flying in rural scenes, the four sides with blue glass ground

Gustave Loup收藏，日內瓦

A. Chapuis 及E. Gelis，《 Le Mondes Des Automates Vol. 1》，巴黎，1928年，圖版202
I. White博士，《English Clocks for the Eastern Markets. English Clockmakers Trading in China & the Ottoman Empire 1580-1815》，倫敦，2012年

Dial in generally good condition but with hair crack between I and II. Movement is clean and running at time of cataloguing, top automaton rather sticky and may require attention. Case has recently been restored, right side glass panel cracked. 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."

Chapuis, A.及Gelis, E.，《Les Monde des Automates》，卷一，頁256-258 及260錄有Gustave Loup同期收藏，為中國市場而製之作例。

另見一應為Gustave Loup購自中國之作例，曾售於紐約蘇富比2006年10月18日，編號372。

本品設計新穎富創意，奢華奪目，乃十八世紀匠人為中國宮廷御製之佳品中的佼佼者。時計及兩側之動偶，伴以美妙音樂及鐘鳴，從早於兩百年前製鐘時已扣人心弦，歷久不衰，至今仍為當代藏家帶來無窮樂趣與驚喜。

Francis Perigal 於1770年被Clockmakers' Company 列為自由人（Freeman），1806年為大師 （Master）。其曾擔任御用製錶師，專為中國及土耳其市場製作音樂鐘， 1824年卒。

北京故宮博物院收藏中有一作例，同出自Perigal之手，展於《Timepieces of the Collection from the Palace Museum》，澳門藝術博物館，澳門，2004-2005年，頁61，及《Timepieces Collected by Qing Emperors》，北京故宮博物院，北京，頁198。

記載歐洲鐘錶出口至中國的文獻不乏，但有關此些珍品再度回流西方市場的紀錄卻很少。

Gustave Loup因其豐富收藏及對鐘錶出口的真知灼見在二十世紀初的鐘錶界極負盛名。離世後，其鐘錶收藏之去向便鮮少人知曉，其對市場的貢獻也轉趨不明。現代藏家對中國市場精作之重視令這位傳奇人物重新引來注目。

有關對Loup之學術研究，大多得自二十世紀上半葉著名瑞士鐘錶作家及學者Alfred Chapuis的文章。Chapuis於1914年與Loup在日內瓦相遇，並第一次瀏覽其令人嘆為觀止的珍藏。爾後兩人異苔同岑，並於1919年成為合作夥伴，出版了《Le Montre Chinois》一書，其中收錄了選自Loup典藏中多達七十餘件佳作。

Chapuis表示：「他的收藏扭轉了貿易的流向，並將見證着西方藝術家及製錶師之技藝精髓帶回瑞士。」

十九世紀末，Loup生於一瑞士製錶之家。該家族僑居中國，據聞Loup出生時，其家族正居於天津。自1859年，其父Pierre移居香港，為Vaucher Frères工作。1881年，其家族收購了Vrard & Co.，該公司在天津及北京均有據點。Gustave Loup因此得天獨厚，飽覽由英國、瑞士及法國出口至中國之精作。

Loup在世時，其二百件珍藏曾部分展於瑞士各博物館及展覽，包括1914年日內瓦裝飾藝術博物館、1920年日內瓦《 The Retrospective Exhibition of the Fair of Watch-making》展、1932-33年拉紹德封《Display Rooms of Watch-Making》展。拉紹德封展覽中，Chapuis形容Loup之典藏為「被賦予生命，展現悅人效果的自動人偶」。在瑞士與中國之間往返多年，Loup最終在瑞士定居下來。 其分别於1922-1925及1928-1930年間再度東游。Chapuis寫到，Loup這幾趟旅程主要目的為充實其收藏。Loup在中國備受尊崇，曾兩次受邀擔任故宮博物院的鐘錶修復員。其為當時拒絕了邀請，未能為保存故宮的藏品盡一分力而感到後悔。