Massive Chinese Ormolu High Relief Bronze Elephant Automaton Music Bracket Clock

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Massive Chinese Ormolu High Relief Bronze Elephant Automaton Music Bracket Clock:
$86500.00

CLOCK

Massive Chinese Ormolu High Relief Bronze Elephant Automaton Music Bracket Clock

A truly magnificent Chinese Guangzhou studio automaton clock , large triple deck bodysupported on the back of four elephants , extremely ornate bronze case, floral relief, paste-setaround the automaton windows and dial, ormolu bronze case, automaton glass waterfall andswimming ducks on the front and both sides, music plays hourly, palm trees on each corners spinsas part of the automaton as well.
Case: heavy bronze with ormolu gold gilt with large elephants
Dial: porcelain dial with Roman numerals
Clock Mechanism: 8 day mechanical movement with quarter striking, with studio mark
Automaton: plays hourly, 3 large windows on the low deck showing spinning twisted glass tubeto imitate waterfall, horizontal glass tubes made to look like river with animating ducks, veryimpression automaton, palm trees on the corners of upper decks rapidly spin as part of theautomaton, 2 ribbons spinning on the center of top double gourd. Music box playing toaccompany the automaton, making it a treat for both eyes and ears.
Size: around 90cm tall and 45cm by 38cm wide
Condition: clock is currently cleaned and in proper working order, automaton and music areplaying properly as well, however, a professional adjustment is highly recommended.
Literature: From the time the first clocks were brought to China from Europe around 1582, theChinese Emperors were fascinated with European mechanical clockworks. As objects of curiosityand items of luxury, these early clocks incorporated mechanisms including music and animatedfigures. European clocks were called "zimingzhong' or "self-sounding bells" by the Chinese fortheir musical chimes and striking bells and known as "singsong" clocks by the British.Contemporary sources suggest that by the end of the first quarter of the eighteenth century,clocks in the Palace numbered in their thousands. The Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-1795) inparticular was an avid collector of all types of timepieces and automatons and his enthusiasmfor both European and Chinese-made clocks and watches was limitless. He had thousands ofEuropean and Chinese clocks in his collection that were aimed at mesmerizing the beholder andprized for their novelty and design. More than 4,000 examples existed in the Imperial Palacesand their chiming was heard throughout the day. These magnificent timepieces rank among themost extravagant clocks ever made, combining Western and Chinese decorative elements. Thecases, of highly decorative ormolu, were often further embellished with brightly coloredenamels and paste gems, the rich designs matching equally elaborate and complex clockworksand mechanical movements including musical movements and automata. Representing theEmperor's power and status, they were also regarded as the epitome of Western style anddesign. By the middle part of the eighteenth century, the fashion for Western clocks haddisseminated from the Imperial Court to the elite of Chinese society, often rivaling theEmperor's own collection of clocks.
Reference:
1. Classics of The Forofferden City, Timepieces in the Imperial Palace, edited by The PalaceMuseum The Forofferden City Publishing House, 2008.
2. Christie’s Hong Kong 2008, Magnificent Clocks for the Imperial Chinese Court from the NezuMuseum
3. Beijing Council International sale, Heavenly Creations – Porcelain Crafts, Boutique, June4th , 2017 Lot 3963Domestic SHIPPING Method:
All domesticshipment will be sent via UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail. Wewill choose the most economical way to have your item shippedpromptly and safely. All item will be carefully packed with realpacking material, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, foam peanut, & NOnewspaper.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
All payment methods are accepted, but PayPalishighly recommended. Payment is expected within 10 days aftersale ends, no exceptions. Buyer with a California deliveryaddress, please add 9%sale tax.
RETURN POLICY:
Customer satisfaction is our first priority.Weaccept return within 14 days after delivery, if there is an errorin our description. Refund will be issued in full amount. Please emailfirst before returning.Delivery date will be according to UPS or USPS tracking system,so please inspect your item immediately upon arrival.
For thoseclockbuyers, please keep in mind that we don't keepa history of any previous repairs on our antique clocks,therefore we are not selling them as in original condition,unless otherwise stated in the description.
Buyer has 14daycooling off period, after that all sales are final.
response:
Your response is very important to us.Iffor any reason, buyer can't leave us a "5-Star" rating and apositive response. Please contact us first prior leavingresponse. We are eager to work with our customers. We believe incommunication. Give us a call or send us an email, we will makethings right for our buyers. Positiveresponse for our buyers will be left automatically by Seller Manager Pro.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:

All items will beshippedby USPS to our international buyers. Online tracking number willbe provided. Please keep in mind that wepurchase damage coverage from a third party, which the cost willnot reflect on the postage. In case of a damage, postage is NOTrefundable. Buyer is responsible for any importtax and/or brokerage fee.