Lot Essay
Jean-Baptiste-Albert Baillon, maître in 1727
Most of the clocks of this model incorporate movements by Jean-Baptiste Baillon which would indicate a close relationship between him and the bronze founder responsible for their casting. The figure of the elephant derives from a Kakiemon model, an example of which in the Burghley House Collection, Stamford, Lincolnshire was exhibited, 'Porcelain for Palaces', Exhibition Catalogue, British Museum, 6 July - 4 November 1990, p. 178, no. 160
Porcelain elephants of this model were also made at the St. Cloud factory; one mounted as a clock with identical base and case was sold from the collection of the late Thelma Chrysler Foy, Parke-Bernet, New York, part II, 22-23 May 1959, lot 664. The clock differs from the other known examples in that the figure of the monkey is looking to the front and holds his parasol in his right hand. Other similar examples include a clock from the collection of Lord Hillingdon, sold in these Rooms, 17 March 1960, lot 76, another sold by Lady Kirkpatrick, Donacomper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, in these Rooms, 23 June 1966, lot 55, and a further example sold Sotheby's, New York, 4 November 1989, lot 189. An example in the Residenz, Bamburg is illustrated H. Ottomeyer P. Pröschel et. al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 124, fig. 2.8.5.
Most of the clocks of this model incorporate movements by Jean-Baptiste Baillon which would indicate a close relationship between him and the bronze founder responsible for their casting. The figure of the elephant derives from a Kakiemon model, an example of which in the Burghley House Collection, Stamford, Lincolnshire was exhibited, 'Porcelain for Palaces', Exhibition Catalogue, British Museum, 6 July - 4 November 1990, p. 178, no. 160
Porcelain elephants of this model were also made at the St. Cloud factory; one mounted as a clock with identical base and case was sold from the collection of the late Thelma Chrysler Foy, Parke-Bernet, New York, part II, 22-23 May 1959, lot 664. The clock differs from the other known examples in that the figure of the monkey is looking to the front and holds his parasol in his right hand. Other similar examples include a clock from the collection of Lord Hillingdon, sold in these Rooms, 17 March 1960, lot 76, another sold by Lady Kirkpatrick, Donacomper, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, in these Rooms, 23 June 1966, lot 55, and a further example sold Sotheby's, New York, 4 November 1989, lot 189. An example in the Residenz, Bamburg is illustrated H. Ottomeyer P. Pröschel et. al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 124, fig. 2.8.5.