Page 93 - Sotheby's Speelman Collection Oct. 3, 2018

them to their original historical context in its concrete and represented by the Jesuits. Like other Qianlong-period clocks
microscopic detail. The present Qianlong-period freestanding currently in such collections as the Palace Museum and the
bronze clock is notable for the following points: Nanjing Museum, the present freestanding clock features
distinctively Chinese decorative patterns like passion flowers
First, this clock is typical of Qianlong-period Imperially-Made
Clocks. As mentioned above, the Qing court gathered the but are formally modelled on contemporary or even earlier
finest craftsmen of the time and had extensive resources. The Western clocks. This fusion of cultural elements produced an
emperor’s direct participation further ensured that the design, exciting and harmonious new style.
manufacture, and testing of each clock was individualised and Third, the movement of this clock showcases the mastery and
without regard to cost. Qianlong-period clocks are noted for ingenious adaptation of the mechanical principles of clocks.
their attention to carved details and their placement. In this The escapements in these clocks are horizontally oriented but
case, the bronze body is thoroughly gilded. Aside from the different from standard escapements in that they are directly
base and the rear door, it is covered throughout with passion connected to the top of the pendulum through steel plates.
flower patterns. Incorporating a variety of techniques, from This avoids the V-shaped pendulum movement and the steel
embedding to openwork to subtractive carving, the flowers, spring above the pendulum typical of other clocks. Although
leaves, and vines are all finely articulated, which took a enforced by technical and material limitation, this structural
tremendous amount of time. The interlocking guaizi-patterned innovation suggests the ingenuity of the Qing workshop. The
scrolls, the ruyi-shaped clouds on the doors, and the Qianlong structural simplification did not affect the functionality of
nianzhi reign mark are all characteristic of Imperially-Made the clock at all, and accorded with the Daoist philosophy of
Clocks of the Qing court. returning original simplicity.
Second, this clock is a witness to the meeting of eastern To conclude, the present freestanding gilt-bronze clock is
and western cultures. The Zaozhongchu was the fruit of the characteristic of Imperially-Made Clocks of the Qianlong
meeting in the Qing imperial court between Chinese culture, period. It provides precious material for our understanding of
as represented by the emperor and Western culture, as the production of clocks in the Qing imperial workshops.

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