James Cox, London, circa 1760, of Royal Association, made for the Oriental Market. An elaborate and fine silver, gilt bronze and stoneset automaton musical table dock of diminutive size. | Important Collectors Wristwatches Pocket Watches & Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 21st October 1995

Important Collectors Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 62

James Cox, London, circa 1760, of Royal Association, made for the Oriental Market. An elaborate and fine silver, gilt bronze and stoneset automaton musical table dock of diminutive size.

CHF 120,000 - 140,000

C. Bombé form, entirely covered in sheet silver with applied gilt bronze and repoussé silver mounts of rococco scrollwork, musical trophies and tasseled drapery. Standing on four cast elephant feet with seated turbaned figures, flambeau finals to the canted corners, pierced sicle panels with displaying peacocks; portrait busts of King George III above the front arch and Queen Charlotte above the back door, flanked by the Lion and Unicorn and Musical Trophies respectively. Oval section domed top with pierced gallery engraved with scientific instruments flanked by dragons and surmounted by a revolving paste-set corse. D. White enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals, later gilt brass moon bands. Dial plate with a painted landscape riverside scene, with automaton figures and animals appearing in a aperture. M. Three-trains with shaped brass plates, going train with verge escapement, short bob pendulum, striking/repeating on bell with pin drum musical train playing on the hour or at will. Winding apertures and strike/silent setting squares in the dial plate. Signed on the dial. In very good condition. Dira: 37.5 x 25 x 20 cm.

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Note: Throughout the 18th Century, the English government sponsored various official expeditions to the Imperial Chinese Court in an attempt to secure favourable trading rights. It was customary to offer lavish gifts on such occasions, clocks being a favourite as there was no indigenous horological trade in China. The opulence of the Court meant that the Emperor remained somewhat unimpressed by such delegations, and every effort was made to persuade him of the importance of the English King. The application of Royal busts to the motimts of a dock would be a typical example of such attempts, and although the history of the dock now offered for sale is unknown, it could well have been intended as a Royal gift.