Musical automaton table clock
Musical automaton table clock
China
late 18th century
Bronze, enamel, glass, fabric; gilding, casting, mechanical work
75.5 х 37 х 27 cm
Clock of the Emperor Qianlong epoch in the style of James Cox are in the gilded bronze case on a profiled base and mounted on a rack in the form of a "waterfall" consisting of twisted glass rods. Gilded foliage shoots, fixed on a stand with musical movement of gilded bronze on leaf supports are on the corners. Landscapes with moving figures are visible on the front and lateral sides of the stand, decorated with openwork ornament, balustrade with spires and balls of malachite, behind glazed windows in rhinestones frames.
Both tiers of the case base are decorated with balustrades with spires in the corners and chains of rhinestones of red and blue colors. Ornately shaped pommel with leaves, a spire and two eagles with outspread wings is on the case top. The clock rear side is closed with an openwork lid covered with green silk from the inner side. Activating button and a pin for the musical movement winding are on the stand rear side.
White enamel dial with hour’ graduation by Roman numerals and minutes graduation by Arabic numerals every fifth division, with two blued steel hands, closed with glazed lid with a latch and a rim of rhinestones.
The clock mechanism is pendulum, with verge escapement, a spring motor, clock strike on the bell, accompanied by a melody, played by the musical movement - carillon with eight bells and thirteen hammers, a fusee and paper music roll, movement of figures and rotation of twisted rods imitating a waterfall. The clock and music mechanisms are key winded.Инв.1538/ММП