Lot Essay
Having been brought to China by Matteo Ricci in 1581 A.D., the
European mechanical clock found great favour with the Imperial Court.
During the first half of the 18th Century, Chinese clocksmiths first
appeared in Guangzhou where contact with foreign traders was greatest. Their techniques learned from the British, the Guangzhou makers' earliest clocks usually incorporated imported movements, although these were soon locally reproduced.
Although the craftsmen began by copying European models, the inevitable marriage with the decorative traditions of Guangdong produced clocks of all shapes and sizes which served as much as ornaments as they did timepieces.
Often constructed of gilt bronze, the clocks were decorated in a wide variety of styles and techniques: engraving, casting, enamelling and the encrustation of locally prized glass gems were among the most favoured devices of the Guangzhou clocksmiths.
Bolstered by a reputation for accuracy and reliability, the clocks were considered elegant gifts; each of the Guangzhou Clocks in the collection of the Palace Museum was presented to the Emperor as a tribute from a dignitary.
Cf. Yang Boda, Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Exhibition Catelogue, Hong Kong, 1987, pp. 50-55 for a detailed discussion of decorative techniques employed in Guangzhou clock making.
European mechanical clock found great favour with the Imperial Court.
During the first half of the 18th Century, Chinese clocksmiths first
appeared in Guangzhou where contact with foreign traders was greatest. Their techniques learned from the British, the Guangzhou makers' earliest clocks usually incorporated imported movements, although these were soon locally reproduced.
Although the craftsmen began by copying European models, the inevitable marriage with the decorative traditions of Guangdong produced clocks of all shapes and sizes which served as much as ornaments as they did timepieces.
Often constructed of gilt bronze, the clocks were decorated in a wide variety of styles and techniques: engraving, casting, enamelling and the encrustation of locally prized glass gems were among the most favoured devices of the Guangzhou clocksmiths.
Bolstered by a reputation for accuracy and reliability, the clocks were considered elegant gifts; each of the Guangzhou Clocks in the collection of the Palace Museum was presented to the Emperor as a tribute from a dignitary.
Cf. Yang Boda, Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Exhibition Catelogue, Hong Kong, 1987, pp. 50-55 for a detailed discussion of decorative techniques employed in Guangzhou clock making.