Lot 1917
1917
A 'DRUM'-SHAPED ORMOLU MUSICAL AND AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK
PROPERTY FROM THE NASU ORGEL MUSEUM COLLECTION, JAPAN, SOLD TO BENEFIT THE MUSEUM EDUCATION FUND
A 'DRUM'-SHAPED ORMOLU MUSICAL AND AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK

Details
A 'DRUM'-SHAPED ORMOLU MUSICAL AND AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK
THE CASE CHINESE, PROBABLY ASSEMBLED EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE MOVEMENT AND DIAL GEORGE III PERIOD (1760-1820), LATE 18TH CENTURY

CASE: the Chinese case of cylindrical section, the rounded exterior with openwork ormolu floral mount, the upper section surmounted by a square finial in the form of acanthus leaves centred by a pineapple-form spire, the circular facing surface inserted with the dial, the reverse with a pierced and incised concave cover; all mounted on an ormolu baluster central post flanked on either side with a pair of descending winged-dragon, on stepped circular base, supported by four evenly divided scroll feet, each modelled as an acanthus leaf
DIAL: with red and white paste-set bezel and convex glass to painted dial with a rural scene, with two automaton features, and set with a white enamel time dial signed "P. RIMBAULT/LONDON"
MUSIC/AUTOMATA: the scene depicting a shepherd leading a line of sheep across an arched bridge over a flowing river where a fisherman is fishing with a line sinking into the water, detailed with a small pierced opening with horizontal spiral-twist glass rods, to simulate a flowing river, set within a forest, the left side with a pierced opening with vertical spiral-twist glass rods, simulating a waterfall
MUSICAL AND AUTOMATA MOVEMENT: wound from the rear, playing on a nest of bells with eleven hammers
13 1/4 in. (33.6 cm.) high x 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm.) wide x 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm.) deep, clock; mounted on a wood platform

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Lot Essay

Compare to related example inset with a clock within the musical automoton in the Qing Palace collection, illustrated in Qinggong Zhongbiao Zhencang, Forbidden City Press, 1995, p. 76; where it is catalogued from the Guangzhou workshops.

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