Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock

This elegant and sophisticated clock has a finely chiselled gilt-bronze case with gold and enamel highlights. It depicts a woman in Chinoiserie costume with an attendant bird of paradise resting on her shoulder. Below is a plinth base finely cast with a lambrequin border to the top and a greek-key border to the bottom, framing scrolling foliate arabesque with birds of paradise and centred by a coupe containing fruits and flowers. The corners of the plinth are cast with stylised anthemion and the whole highlighted in enamel and put down on a fine adorsed dragon base.

The clock has a circular 3-inch silvered engine-turned dial with Roman Numerals and an eight day movement with silk suspension, outside count wheel striking on a bell.

Chinoiserie, from ‘chinois’ the French for Chinese, was a style inspired by art and design from China, Japan and other Asian countries. In the 18th century porcelain, silk and lacquerware imported from China and Japan were extremely fashionable. This led many designers and craftsmen to imitate Asian designs and to create their own fanciful versions of the East.

French, Circa 1830.