Page 119 - Chiense works of art sothebys march 14 2017 nyc
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The Chinese craftsmen who produced this magni cent Within the palace workshop, automata were created and
automaton were undoubtedly inspired by the fabulous conceived by Jesuit missionaries. According to Catherine
musical and automaton clocks commissioned by the English Pagani in her discussion on this subject (see ‘Europe in
entrepreneur James Cox which were exported to various Far Asia: The Impact of Western Art and Technology in China,’
East destinations during the second half of the 18th century. Encounters: The Meeting of Asia and Europe, 1500-1800, p.
The Emperor Qianlong (1736-95) had a large collection of 302) an automaton in the form of a walking lion by Gilles
clocks in his palaces, many presented by visiting dignitaries Thebault (1703-66) was made according to basic horological
in the hope of promoting trade with China, others made by principles. Moreover, a walking automaton in human form was
craftsmen in the Imperial workshops which remained active planned—but not ultimately realized—by Sigismondo Mainardi
until at least 1879. When the demand for Western-style clocks di San Nicola (1713-67).
and automata permeated among the merchant elites, Canton
and Suzhou also became manufacturing centers. Sadly A small clock in the Palace Museum, Beijing, set within a
many of the clocks and automatons were badly damaged ‘landscape’ similar in palette and style to the automaton, and
or destroyed during several turbulent periods in the history accompanied by two blue birds comparable to one in the
of China. Of the few examples that survive, many were present example, attributed to the 19th century, is illustrated
damaged by unskilled restorers who found it easier to remove in Gugong Zhong Biao, Beijing, 2004, p. 254. A clock enclosing
troublesome musical and automaton features rather than an automaton of waterfalls and sailing ships was sold in our
attempt to restore them. Hong Kong rooms 8th October 2008, lot 2212.
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IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 117
