Ref. 1976

Oriental Clock

France
Circa 1890

Porcelain, Bronze 

Height : 54 cm (21,2 in.) ; Width : 37 cm (14,5 in.) ; Depth : 28 cm (11 in.)

Rare Chinese style clock in the shape of a covered pot, in porcelain painted in imitation of Chinese cloisonné enamel and decorated with a two-patina bronze mount. The dome-shaped cover is topped with a Fô dog. A rotating decoration of chrysanthemums and peonies and golden geometric motifs on a blue background flourishes on the belly, and on each side of the dial surrounded by pearls and bronze flowers, two Fô dog heads hold the handles in their mouths. The whole rests on a bronze base decorated with a frieze of eggs and ending with six feet formed of elephant heads resting on their trunks and four turtles upright on their back legs.

The reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) was undoubtedly the peak of Chinese porcelain technique, brought to its completion by Tang Ying, superintendent of the imperial porcelain factories of Jingdezhen from 1728 to 1756. Under his supervision, the quality of porcelain improved and he introduced new innovations : new colors, glazes and new techniques imitating other materials such as lacquer, wood or even cloisonné enamels as is the case with this clock.