Lot description
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU AND PASTE-SET QUARTER-STRIKING 'SUNBURST' CLOCK GUANGZHOU WORKSHOPS. JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820) CASE: the rectangular ormolu platform base raised on elaborate foliate feet, centred with a panel embellished with gilt-metal mount of a stylised sun-flower, flanked on either side with flowers borne on thin stems growing bladed leaves, the sides each with similar floral bloom mount, the angles with gilded volute mounts, the upper edges lined with an openwork pelmet-form terrace, the four corners joined to pillars, surrounding a mythical three-legged toad with paste-inset eyes and seated on rockwork head, the toad's raised head modelled with twisting ruyi clouds emerging from its wide mouth, surrounded by four evenly spaced splayed leaves forming the elaborate mount supporting the clock, the dial bezel encircled by a paste-set 'sunburst', arranged in radiating rows of rectangular transparent glass, alternating with rows of vibrant green and pomegranate-pink circular-cut paste gems, surmounted by an ormolu phoenix with outstretched wings raised on a bracket stand of acanthus leaves DIAL: white enamel with Roman hours and Arabic quarter chapters, pierced gilt-metal main hands and replaced blued steel seconds hand MOVEMENT: with red silk-backed pierced and engraved ormolu rear cover, substantial circular plates secured to the case with brackets to top and bottom, the gilded back plate engraved elaborately with leafy sprigs and flowerheads, within a line and scroll engraved border, twin fusees wound from the rear, hand-set also to the rear, duplex escapement with blued steel segmental decorative weights positioned on the back plate, quarter-striking on two replaced large steel gongs rising on a steel bar from an ormolu mount at the rear of the case, with two hammers projecting through the movement cover 23½ in. (59.5 cm.) high x 13½ in. (34.5 cm.) wide x 8¼ in. (21.5 cm.) deep
