Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 16, 2014

LOT 127

MIRROR IMAGE PAIR OF CHINESE BRONZE & RED LACQUER ELEPHANT CLOCKS Chinese, probably Guangzhou workshops, the movements English by Chas. Wall and S. Tracy, London. Qianlong period (1736-1795), made in the late 18th century. Fine and extremely rare, small, mirror-image pair of painted bronze, gilt-bronze and red-lacquered elephant clocks.

CHF 30,000 - 50,000

HKD 258,000 - 430,000 / USD 32,000 - 53,000

Sold: CHF 37,500

Cast and chased painted bronze elephant with gilt tusks and harnesses, cloth over the back with gilt engraved and red-painted decoration, Chinese vase support for the drum clock housing on the elephant's back, gilt-bronze leaf and berry surmounts and bird finial, bombe wooden base overlaid with red-lacquered metal and decorated with gilt-bronze foliate mounts and paterae. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions and large Arabic five-minute numerals. Gilt beetle and poker hands. 37 mm., gilt-brass, full plate, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm balance, pierced and engraved single- footed cock with streamers, silvered regulation dial. Movements signed Chas. Wall, London, 567 & S. Tracy, London, 1491. The underside of the bases inscribed "head" in ink with Chinese characters.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIM. 27 x 18.8 x 9.5 cm. Most clocks and watches either made in China or imported to China from the West were made in pairs. Very often the pair became separated over time and it is very rare that a pair of late 18th century clocks have remained together until the present day. Of charmingly small size, this pair of mirror-image elephant clocks are of particular interest being of Chinese workmanship showing a clear European influence based on French designs of the Louis XV period. The centre of clockmaking in China was Guangzhou (Canton) which was the main foreign trading port, the Chinese craftsmen would have been familiar with the imported wares from Europe and the grander pieces by English makers intended for the Imperial Court. The elephants are made of painted bronze and stand on red-lacquered bases with mounts in the French manner. The movements of the clocks are English watch movements from the early 18th century, the use of which would in fact have added further prestige to these pieces because English clocks were regarded as superior quality. In Chinese art the elephant symbolizes wisdom and strength and were a popular subject, elephants carrying vases on their backs were featured in parades to celebrate to Emperor's birthday.