166

Rare Chinese Canton Famille Rose Porcelain Clock

second quarter 19th century, Qing Dynasty, fitted with an English movement signed "James Murray, Royal Exchange, London", the enameled case decorated with various motifs including flowers, butterflies and scrollwork, the side panels depicting court scenes and the arched top with a Greek-key border, fitted with a brass single train fusee movement and anchor escapement, the dial engraved with Roman numeral chapters.
h. 14-1/2", w. 11", d. 6"

Provenance: Bruce McCashin Collection.

Notes: Clocks and clockmaking are widely recognized to have been introduced to China by European missionaries in the 16th century; however, it was not until the Qing dynasty, regarded as a golden age for the arts in China, and driven in particular by the fierce interest and intellect of Emperors Kangxi (1662-1722) and Qianlong (1735-1795) that clocks and clockmaking became established among the rich fabric of decorative arts in the country.

Owning these mechanical wonders quickly became somewhat of a status symbol, and a fascination with them spread rapidly throughout the Imperial court. Through a combination of ostentatious gifts from ambassadors during the 17th-19th centuries, and imported examples, largely sourced from London and Paris, the Imperial collection is estimated to at one time have held over 4,000 clocks, watches and other similar mechanical pieces, all of exquisite quality. The Hall of Clocks and Watches, now a museum within The Forbidden City, currently houses more than 1,500.

As the desire for such pieces took hold and spread throughout China, an impressive network of domestic workshops, housed primarily in Suzhou and Guangzhou (formerly Canton), was established. However, the appetite for European movements was undiminished, and demand for these pieces led to some sublime designs, targeting the Chinese craving for the rare and the exceptional.

As the Chinese market has matured in recent years, clocks and timepieces have maintained their position as highly collectible and sought after. This beautiful example, combining Chinese Famille Rose porcelain with an English James Murray movement, perfectly encapsulates the artistry of East meets West design.


  • Condition: **In overall very good condition. There is a small chip on the rear of the left side cross piece near the top but no additional chips, cracks or restorations. There is patination to the brass feet and very slight rubbing to the corners.

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October 12, 2019 10:00 AM CDT
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