THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
A REGENCY ORMOLU AND GARNET-SET MUSICAL AUTOMATON QUARTER STRIKING CENTRE-PIECE TABLE CLOCK FOR THE EASTERN MARKET

Details
A REGENCY ORMOLU AND GARNET-SET MUSICAL AUTOMATON QUARTER STRIKING CENTRE-PIECE TABLE CLOCK FOR THE EASTERN MARKET
unsigned, circa 1800

The case with trellis-stepped plinth on elaborate scrolled dolphin-head feet, the hexagonal gothic arcaded gazebo with automaton dancing figures at the four angles holding garlands of paste-set flowers, the front inset with an automaton scene with courtly figures parading before a palladian house, the turbaned figure above standing in the gazebo whilst figures rotate around, the musical chain fusee movement in the plinth playing a selection of four tunes on eight bells and giving indirect drive to the automaton figures and the twisted glass fountain jets to the sides of the gazebo with an ogival dome with four further figures at the angles, the white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic chapters and pierced gold hands and blued centre seconds hand within a paste-set border, the quarter striking movement with twin chain fusees, the going having a bridgecock verge escapement regulated at the foliate engraved backplate, the quarters and hours striking on a single bell with automaton jaquemart figure in a tower above
25in. (65cm.) high
Literature
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
A.Chapuis & E.Droz, Automata, Neuchatel, 1958, pp.107-18

Lot Essay

The identical clock to this is in the British Museum, gallery 123; the movement and dial have been replaced and the replacement movement is signed Morris Tobias, however the case is more complete having its original figures flanking the clock dial instead of the lions on the present clock. The British Museum clock also has the identical stepped base but the trellis-work is alternatively engraved and similar engraving may have have originally existed on the present clock.
English clocks for the Middle and Far East were being successfully sold by the begining of the 18th. century, the Indian market was was a very profitable one with the majority of the clocks being used as bargainig gifts to aid diplomacy.

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