鍍金銀嵌雜寶刻鐘報時桌鐘 ，羅伯特•瓦德，倫敦製, 約1785年

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

John Carlton-Smith收藏，倫敦

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."

本品雖無具體文獻記載，然按其皇家徽章推測，應為十八世紀末英皇喬治三世命使節進貢清朝多種貢品之一。1793年，馬戛爾尼使團出使中國，曾向乾隆皇帝進獻鐘錶，本品可能為之其一。

1788年，卡思卡特出使中國途中病逝，使團被迫折回。馬戛爾尼遂成為首位正式代表英國皇室出使清朝之使節。當時，喬治·史託頓爵士（Sir George Staunton）曾發表出使貢品清單，當中鐘錶位列甚高，亦包括柯特卡使團之部分貢品。

喬治三世幕府絞盡心思，贈與乾隆皇帝林林種種之珍寶精品，意圖展開兩國政治及貿易關係，確立英國於中國之外交勢力。

十八世紀末，英國鐘錶工匠—羅伯特·瓦德—於國際藝壇極負盛名，瓦德不少精作被遠銷至土耳其及中國。1768年起，瓦德於倫敦阿布切爾奇巷（Abchurch Lane）鐘錶坊工作。1779年成為鐘錶匠公會成員，時至其於1808年逝世。北京故宮博物院藏一鎏金銅座鐘，上飾牧羊童子，乃出自瓦德之手。此外，其精作亦見於土耳其馬日雅特（Marryat）及伊爾貝特（Ilbert）收藏。

參見一相類作例，載於I. White博士，《English Clocks for the Eastern Markets. English Clockmakers Trading in China & the Ottoman Empire 1580-1815》，倫敦，2012年。