Clocks
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Time pieces Mechanical craft ca 1800 Jaquet-Droz French time pieces Patek Philippe OnlyWatch Louis XVIII to 2nd Empire Silverware
Chronology : 1792 1830-1839 1902 2021
See also : Time pieces Mechanical craft ca 1800 Jaquet-Droz French time pieces Patek Philippe OnlyWatch Louis XVIII to 2nd Empire Silverware
Chronology : 1792 1830-1839 1902 2021
Guangzhou
The British, always eager to trade, could not ignore China, but the emperors were suspicious.
Clocks were a luxury commodity in 18th century Europe. In China timepieces were initially brought by European missionaries in the hope of winning favors at court. The most successful exporters were the English and the Swiss.
From the reign of Kangxi, foreign governments and high officials had commissioned increasingly innovative horology pieces with automata and music boxes as tribute to the emperors. Most combined both Chinese and Western decorative elements. The automata and music box were the prominent features of the instrument, with the timepiece gradually becoming a secondary element.
A workshop dedicated to western style clocks was established by the Kangxi emperor in the Beijing palace.
In 1757 CE the Qianlong emperor restricted to one area of the port of Guangzhou (Canton) the access authorized to foreigners. Qianlong set up specialized workshops in that city. Their craftsmen were able to repair and re-assemble the imports. The European influence on locally made table clocks is obvious.
These instruments with self-sounding bells using the most advanced technology of their time
became an integral part of court life, with their chiming determining the exact time when formal ceremonies should take place. Qianlong was a big fan of clocks. It is told that this emperor owned in the 1790s more than 4,000 clocks, decorated with musical automata.
Whether made in China or Europe, table clocks for Imperial China were distinguished by their magnificence. These timepieces rank among the most extravagant clocks ever made. Their elaborately designed cases, musical functions, and multiple moving parts were intended to impress their audiences.
The cases, generally of highly decorative ormolu, were greatly embellished, frequently with brightly colored enamels and paste gems in the European style. Typical features include musical movements and multiple automata.
The jardiniere was a preferred theme for automaton clocks at the imperial court. As early as 1748 CE an example had been ordered by the Qianlong emperor to the Beijing workshops.
Clocks were a luxury commodity in 18th century Europe. In China timepieces were initially brought by European missionaries in the hope of winning favors at court. The most successful exporters were the English and the Swiss.
From the reign of Kangxi, foreign governments and high officials had commissioned increasingly innovative horology pieces with automata and music boxes as tribute to the emperors. Most combined both Chinese and Western decorative elements. The automata and music box were the prominent features of the instrument, with the timepiece gradually becoming a secondary element.
A workshop dedicated to western style clocks was established by the Kangxi emperor in the Beijing palace.
In 1757 CE the Qianlong emperor restricted to one area of the port of Guangzhou (Canton) the access authorized to foreigners. Qianlong set up specialized workshops in that city. Their craftsmen were able to repair and re-assemble the imports. The European influence on locally made table clocks is obvious.
These instruments with self-sounding bells using the most advanced technology of their time
became an integral part of court life, with their chiming determining the exact time when formal ceremonies should take place. Qianlong was a big fan of clocks. It is told that this emperor owned in the 1790s more than 4,000 clocks, decorated with musical automata.
Whether made in China or Europe, table clocks for Imperial China were distinguished by their magnificence. These timepieces rank among the most extravagant clocks ever made. Their elaborately designed cases, musical functions, and multiple moving parts were intended to impress their audiences.
The cases, generally of highly decorative ormolu, were greatly embellished, frequently with brightly colored enamels and paste gems in the European style. Typical features include musical movements and multiple automata.
The jardiniere was a preferred theme for automaton clocks at the imperial court. As early as 1748 CE an example had been ordered by the Qianlong emperor to the Beijing workshops.
1
Qianlong Jardiniere
2008 SOLD for HK$ 39.5M by Christie's
A superb Imperial Chinese musical automaton table clock was sold for HK $ 39.5M from a lower estimate of HK $ 2.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1509 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
The case is modeled in three tiers 78 cm high overall decorated in ormolu, enamel and paste-set. The upper section is formed as an octagonal jardiniere supported on four foliate ormolu feet and raised on a leaf engraved platform.
With its exquisite enamels accentuated by a variety of colorful paste-gems, this clock is extremely ornate in its decoration and represents the finest craftsmanship produced in the Guangzhou workshops in the later Qianlong period ca 1790.
Its relatively simple automata are activated hourly or on request. Music plays and two lines of European figures parade with gardening attributes along the base of the clock, while in the jardiniere two flower heads spin. Some automata connections are lacking. Automaton floral bouquets are missing in the ormolu vases over the platform.
The case is modeled in three tiers 78 cm high overall decorated in ormolu, enamel and paste-set. The upper section is formed as an octagonal jardiniere supported on four foliate ormolu feet and raised on a leaf engraved platform.
With its exquisite enamels accentuated by a variety of colorful paste-gems, this clock is extremely ornate in its decoration and represents the finest craftsmanship produced in the Guangzhou workshops in the later Qianlong period ca 1790.
Its relatively simple automata are activated hourly or on request. Music plays and two lines of European figures parade with gardening attributes along the base of the clock, while in the jardiniere two flower heads spin. Some automata connections are lacking. Automaton floral bouquets are missing in the ormolu vases over the platform.
2
Qianlong Jardiniere and Singing Birds
2008 SOLD for HK$ 32M by Christie's
The automaton system of the jardiniere became gradually more complicated during the Qianlong reign.
An apogee of complication is reached with a 100 cm high example in ormolu, enamel, and paste-set musical automaton table clock made ca 1790 by the Guangzhou workshops.
Each hour or the pressing of a knob provides an exciting performance, with so many moving parts that all the activity cannot be viewed at once.
In the front, curtains rise and behind them a pair of dancing figures is revealed. There is a qilin with a moving head, revolving trees, spinning whirligigs, while the side panels reveal water features with leaping carp.
The qilin displays the yin and yang symbol on its back. The pearl within that feature is revolving while the fabulous beast is moving its head.
At the end of the performance, the curtain falls on the stage and another mechanism activates two singing birds in the jardiniere while three flower heads spin above them. The movement of the birds on their perches while opening their beaks and flapping their wings is directly inspired from the Swiss automata by Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, of which an example is recorded to have been supplied from London to China in 1791 by James Cox.
The Guanghou jardiniere and singing bird clock was sold for HK $ 32M from a lower estimate of HK $ 4.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1505 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
An apogee of complication is reached with a 100 cm high example in ormolu, enamel, and paste-set musical automaton table clock made ca 1790 by the Guangzhou workshops.
Each hour or the pressing of a knob provides an exciting performance, with so many moving parts that all the activity cannot be viewed at once.
In the front, curtains rise and behind them a pair of dancing figures is revealed. There is a qilin with a moving head, revolving trees, spinning whirligigs, while the side panels reveal water features with leaping carp.
The qilin displays the yin and yang symbol on its back. The pearl within that feature is revolving while the fabulous beast is moving its head.
At the end of the performance, the curtain falls on the stage and another mechanism activates two singing birds in the jardiniere while three flower heads spin above them. The movement of the birds on their perches while opening their beaks and flapping their wings is directly inspired from the Swiss automata by Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, of which an example is recorded to have been supplied from London to China in 1791 by James Cox.
The Guanghou jardiniere and singing bird clock was sold for HK $ 32M from a lower estimate of HK $ 4.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1505 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
3
Qianlong Chinese Garden
2010 SOLD for $ 3.8M by Sotheby's
A table clock with gilt brass, enamel and paste set made in Guangzhou during the Qianlong period was sold for $ 3.8M from a lower estimate of $ 600K by Sotheby's on June 8-9, 2010, lot 345 in the home auction of the 45 room country manor of Mrs. Kluge in Virginia.
The main automaton features characters who pass on a bridge in a Chinese garden against a mirrored background. The case surmounted by a pierced foliate balustrade framing a further automaton of spiral twisted glass rods simulating a cascading waterfall, supporting an elaborate gilded double-gourd vase.
The instrument was reconstructed in the later 19th century including the three train fusee movement with anchor escapement which operates a quarter striking on a nest of eight bells plus the striking of the hours on a further bell. The movements were properly adapted to run the automaton functions as it was intended by the original maker. The finials and some paste stones were also replaced. The dial is still later. Some further restoration and servicing are required.
The main automaton features characters who pass on a bridge in a Chinese garden against a mirrored background. The case surmounted by a pierced foliate balustrade framing a further automaton of spiral twisted glass rods simulating a cascading waterfall, supporting an elaborate gilded double-gourd vase.
The instrument was reconstructed in the later 19th century including the three train fusee movement with anchor escapement which operates a quarter striking on a nest of eight bells plus the striking of the hours on a further bell. The movements were properly adapted to run the automaton functions as it was intended by the original maker. The finials and some paste stones were also replaced. The dial is still later. Some further restoration and servicing are required.
4
Qianlong Tribute Bearers
2008 SOLD for HK$ 29.4M by Christie's
A musical table clock on the theme of the tribute bearers was sold for HK $ 29.4M from a lower estimate of HK $ 2.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1508 in the sale of the Nezu collection. It was made in Guangzhou in the Qianlong period of a three tier case 84 cm overall decorated with ormolu and paste set.
The lower automaton features two rows of painted cut-metal figures of Europeans, elephants and horses parading on chains in a circle around a stationary row of trees. The upper automaton displays under a deep convex glass eight gem set flower heads against a bright blue enameled ground, revolving while music plays.
This clock was sold for € 380K by Aponem on June 30, 2023, lot 30 and for £ 760K by Christie's on June 2, 2024, lot 16.
The lower automaton features two rows of painted cut-metal figures of Europeans, elephants and horses parading on chains in a circle around a stationary row of trees. The upper automaton displays under a deep convex glass eight gem set flower heads against a bright blue enameled ground, revolving while music plays.
This clock was sold for € 380K by Aponem on June 30, 2023, lot 30 and for £ 760K by Christie's on June 2, 2024, lot 16.
#AuctionUpdate The 'Imperial Chinese ormolu and paste-set automaton, musical and striking table clock' (1736-1795) sold for £756,000: https://t.co/BIacItGKW1 pic.twitter.com/DTdlqUndJ3
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) July 2, 2024
5
Qianlong Daoist Immortal
2008 SOLD for HK$ 27M by Christie's
A musical table clock on the theme of the Daoist Immortal was sold for HK $ 27M from a lower estimate of HK $ 4M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1504 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
It was made in Guangzhou in the Qianlong period of a three tier case 83 cm overall decorated with ormolu, enamel, ivory and paste set.
In the base section, the automaton scene behind glass is representing the Four Noble Professions of the Han with their attributes : the scholar, the wood cutter, the farmer and the fisherman, all set in a gilt-metal repoussé landscape. The sides are painted with European pastoral figures in ormolu frames.
In the upper section, the main automaton displays the old bearded Shoulao opening and closing an album reading Endless Longevity. He is dressed in a red painted and gilt-heightened flowing robe, flanked on either side by young attendants in similar robes. The dial is over their heads. Other moving parts are a floral bouquet and a waterfall made of spiral-twist glass rods.
It was made in Guangzhou in the Qianlong period of a three tier case 83 cm overall decorated with ormolu, enamel, ivory and paste set.
In the base section, the automaton scene behind glass is representing the Four Noble Professions of the Han with their attributes : the scholar, the wood cutter, the farmer and the fisherman, all set in a gilt-metal repoussé landscape. The sides are painted with European pastoral figures in ormolu frames.
In the upper section, the main automaton displays the old bearded Shoulao opening and closing an album reading Endless Longevity. He is dressed in a red painted and gilt-heightened flowing robe, flanked on either side by young attendants in similar robes. The dial is over their heads. Other moving parts are a floral bouquet and a waterfall made of spiral-twist glass rods.
6
late 19th century Tropical Landscape
2008 SOLD for HK$ 34M by Christie's
The Tropical landscape table clock mounted in China in the late 19th century displayed no less than four sets of automaton characters, each one behind a circular aperture. It incorporates earlier elements including an English clock movement by Thwaites dated ca 1771 by its serial number and a recuperation of enamels. The four sceneries display an auspicious phrase derived from Eastern Zhou poetry.
The animation is activated hourly or by pushing a knob. The case is modeled in three tiers 90 cm high overall.
It was sold for HK $ 34M from a lower estimate of HK $ 1M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1513 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
The animation is activated hourly or by pushing a knob. The case is modeled in three tiers 90 cm high overall.
It was sold for HK $ 34M from a lower estimate of HK $ 1M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1513 in the sale of the Nezu collection.
1792 English Presentation Clock to the Qianlong Emperor
2008 SOLD for HK$ 36M by Christie's
Relations were bad between the East India Company and China. The balance of trade was very much in China's favor. The merchants requested the British government to intervene on their behalf and to establish a diplomatic relationship with China. Lord Macartney was appointed ambassador and set sail in September 1792.
Macartney took artifacts with him for presentation to the Qianlong emperor, including watches, clocks, a planetarium and an orrery. The party included an instrument maker and a watchmaker who were responsible for looking after mechanical gifts and for setting them up.
After leaving the larger presents behind in the Summer Palace in Beijing, presents were exchanged with the Qianlong emperor in September 1793 at the palace at Jehol. Looking around the Palace, the British were disappointed to find that it was filled with clocks and musical automata of such superb workmanship that their gifts would be ineffective.
After one and a half month in Beijing, Macartney was dismissed by the emperor and requested to return home immediately with a letter by Qianlong to King George III stating : "We do not have the slightest need of your country's manufactures."
The presentation included a pair of 74 cm high musical automaton clocks made in London by Henry Borrell who was a specialist of export for the Turkish market. They are made in ormolu and royal blue guilloché enamel.
The automaton scene is covered by a sliding panel, raised on each hour or on request to reveal sailing ships processing before an arched bridge, with twisted glass rods simulating a waterfall to the rear. The painted metal ships moving along further glass rods imitating the sea while music plays.
One of them was sold for HK $ 36M from a lower estimate of HK $ 4.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1511 in the sale of the Nezu Museum clock collection, lot 1511. Its pair was sold for £ 224K by Christie’s on July 6, 2001, lot 39.
Macartney took artifacts with him for presentation to the Qianlong emperor, including watches, clocks, a planetarium and an orrery. The party included an instrument maker and a watchmaker who were responsible for looking after mechanical gifts and for setting them up.
After leaving the larger presents behind in the Summer Palace in Beijing, presents were exchanged with the Qianlong emperor in September 1793 at the palace at Jehol. Looking around the Palace, the British were disappointed to find that it was filled with clocks and musical automata of such superb workmanship that their gifts would be ineffective.
After one and a half month in Beijing, Macartney was dismissed by the emperor and requested to return home immediately with a letter by Qianlong to King George III stating : "We do not have the slightest need of your country's manufactures."
The presentation included a pair of 74 cm high musical automaton clocks made in London by Henry Borrell who was a specialist of export for the Turkish market. They are made in ormolu and royal blue guilloché enamel.
The automaton scene is covered by a sliding panel, raised on each hour or on request to reveal sailing ships processing before an arched bridge, with twisted glass rods simulating a waterfall to the rear. The painted metal ships moving along further glass rods imitating the sea while music plays.
One of them was sold for HK $ 36M from a lower estimate of HK $ 4.5M by Christie's on May 27, 2008, lot 1511 in the sale of the Nezu Museum clock collection, lot 1511. Its pair was sold for £ 224K by Christie’s on July 6, 2001, lot 39.
1835 The Breguet Clock of the Duc d'Orléans
2012 SOLD for $ 6.8M by Sotheby's
In 1795 Abraham-Louis Breguet imagines the combination of a clock and a watch. This outstanding inventor manages later to achieve this stupendous set known as Breguet Sympathique.
After being used during the day, the watch is repositioned in a cradle at the top of the clock. At midnight, the clock triggers a mechanism that enters the watch, measures and rectifies the error. After a few days, the value of the error is integrated into the beat of the watch and its adjustment becomes automatic.
When Breguet died in 1823, five copies have been made. Only kings can afford to own such an expensive mechanism.
Being an extremely remote cousin of Charles X, Louis Philippe I becomes King of France after a revolution. His eldest son, the duc d'Orléans, is a brilliant prince who would like to live again in the luxury of the Ancien Régime. He commissions his sympathique clock to the Breguet workshop. It is completed in 1835.
Luxury adds to technical feat. 58 cm high, the piece is made in the imitation of Boulle style which is so fashionable in that time, in a cabinet by Bellangé and with Denière bronzes on a design by Questel.
The clock and the watch of this set have not been separated. Having been restored to operation by George Daniels, it provides an exceptional demonstration of one of the most advanced ideas of automatism.
It was sold by Sotheby's for $ 5.8M on December 2, 1999 and for $ 6.8M on December 4, 2012, lot 124.
After being used during the day, the watch is repositioned in a cradle at the top of the clock. At midnight, the clock triggers a mechanism that enters the watch, measures and rectifies the error. After a few days, the value of the error is integrated into the beat of the watch and its adjustment becomes automatic.
When Breguet died in 1823, five copies have been made. Only kings can afford to own such an expensive mechanism.
Being an extremely remote cousin of Charles X, Louis Philippe I becomes King of France after a revolution. His eldest son, the duc d'Orléans, is a brilliant prince who would like to live again in the luxury of the Ancien Régime. He commissions his sympathique clock to the Breguet workshop. It is completed in 1835.
Luxury adds to technical feat. 58 cm high, the piece is made in the imitation of Boulle style which is so fashionable in that time, in a cabinet by Bellangé and with Denière bronzes on a design by Questel.
The clock and the watch of this set have not been separated. Having been restored to operation by George Daniels, it provides an exceptional demonstration of one of the most advanced ideas of automatism.
It was sold by Sotheby's for $ 5.8M on December 2, 1999 and for $ 6.8M on December 4, 2012, lot 124.
Die Uhr entstand zwischen 1832 und 1835 in Frankreich.#Uhr #Breguet #Frankreich
— Barnebys.de (@Barnebysde) March 17, 2024
1902 The Rothschild Egg by Fabergé
2007 SOLD for £ 9M by Christie's
Each imperial egg prepared by Fabergé had to bring an innovation. In 1900 the egg offered by Tsar Nicholas II to the Empress Maria Feodorovna was a clock. The surprise is an automaton cockerel that appears for striking the hours.
Fabergé is an entrepreneur who knows how to satisfy the richest customers around the world, eager to find the most sumptuous gifts for their wives. Two non-imperial variants from the cockerel egg are known, one made in 1902 for the French branch of the Rothschild family, the other in 1904 for a Russian nobleman.
The Rothschild egg was an engagement gift by Béatrice de Rothschild to Germaine Halphen who will become her sister-in-law in 1905. Stayed with that family, it surfaced in a sale by Christie's on November 28, 2007. It was sold for £ 9M, lot 55.
This piece 27 cm high in closed position is made of solid silver enamelled in transparent pink on a guilloche background and weighs 3,645 g. To mark the hours, the lid opens to let rising a multicolored chantecler in enamelled gold set with small diamonds. For 15 seconds, the bird flaps its wings, sings while moving its head, opens and closes its beak and ends the movement by banging a bell before descending back to its original place.
This egg is dated, signed by Fabergé and stamped by the workmaster Perchin. A photo taken during its make features Perchin with his assistant Wigström who will succeed him in 1903.
Fabergé is an entrepreneur who knows how to satisfy the richest customers around the world, eager to find the most sumptuous gifts for their wives. Two non-imperial variants from the cockerel egg are known, one made in 1902 for the French branch of the Rothschild family, the other in 1904 for a Russian nobleman.
The Rothschild egg was an engagement gift by Béatrice de Rothschild to Germaine Halphen who will become her sister-in-law in 1905. Stayed with that family, it surfaced in a sale by Christie's on November 28, 2007. It was sold for £ 9M, lot 55.
This piece 27 cm high in closed position is made of solid silver enamelled in transparent pink on a guilloche background and weighs 3,645 g. To mark the hours, the lid opens to let rising a multicolored chantecler in enamelled gold set with small diamonds. For 15 seconds, the bird flaps its wings, sings while moving its head, opens and closes its beak and ends the movement by banging a bell before descending back to its original place.
This egg is dated, signed by Fabergé and stamped by the workmaster Perchin. A photo taken during its make features Perchin with his assistant Wigström who will succeed him in 1903.
Surtout connu pour ses œufs, le légendaire joaillier #Fabergé a également été un pionnier dans le travail de l’email https://t.co/jX2LfcNu0D pic.twitter.com/w2yPxpTyd4
— Christie's Paris (@christiesparis) May 23, 2017
Quick trip down memory lane - Christie’s currently holds the #record for the most expensive #RussianWorkofArt sold in the category, the #Rothschild #Fabergé Egg which sold for US$18,576,214 in 2007: https://t.co/qF6ZxJv7RA pic.twitter.com/ONoxXplZcx
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) April 9, 2019
2021 Patek Philippe Desk Clock
2021 SOLD for CHF 9.5M by Christie's
Patek Philippe made a bang in the 2019 OnlyWatch charity auction with the unique example of the model 6300A-010 that fetched CHF 31M. It is derived from the Grandmaster Chime which is the most complicated wristwatch in their catalogue.
To go forward in 2021, the brand cleverly offered a clock that will not invite for a comparison with the 2019 entry.
This item is a modern version of an Art Déco desk clock made by them in 1923 for the demanding customer James Ward Packard which is kept in the Patek Philippe Museum. Henry Graves Jr managed to have a similar time piece. The Packard complicated clock was equipped with a perpetual calendar and moon phases with an eight-day power reserve. It is made of silver with solid-gold feet and inlays.
The OnlyWatch clock is the unique example of the 27001M-01 model. The angular shape with a hinged lid of this 165 x 125 x 76 mm instrument has no equivalent in the modern catalogues of the brand.
It features a perpetual calendar, moon phases, day-night indicator, week-number display and has a power reserve of 31 days and a precision rate of 1 second per day. The case and the cabinet are in sterling silver with vermeil decorative elements and American walnut inlays. In an additional exquisite refinement the dial is in a similar yellow gilt opaline hue as the 6300 of 2019.
The hammer was entrusted to Christie's on November 6, 2021. The Patek Philippe desk clock was sold for CHF 9.5M, lot 41. Please watch the video shared by Watch I love.
To go forward in 2021, the brand cleverly offered a clock that will not invite for a comparison with the 2019 entry.
This item is a modern version of an Art Déco desk clock made by them in 1923 for the demanding customer James Ward Packard which is kept in the Patek Philippe Museum. Henry Graves Jr managed to have a similar time piece. The Packard complicated clock was equipped with a perpetual calendar and moon phases with an eight-day power reserve. It is made of silver with solid-gold feet and inlays.
The OnlyWatch clock is the unique example of the 27001M-01 model. The angular shape with a hinged lid of this 165 x 125 x 76 mm instrument has no equivalent in the modern catalogues of the brand.
It features a perpetual calendar, moon phases, day-night indicator, week-number display and has a power reserve of 31 days and a precision rate of 1 second per day. The case and the cabinet are in sterling silver with vermeil decorative elements and American walnut inlays. In an additional exquisite refinement the dial is in a similar yellow gilt opaline hue as the 6300 of 2019.
The hammer was entrusted to Christie's on November 6, 2021. The Patek Philippe desk clock was sold for CHF 9.5M, lot 41. Please watch the video shared by Watch I love.
