Mantel Clock with Automata

A fine English clock with automaton for the Chinese market. The attractive, shaped green marble base has ormolu decoration, ormolu brass feet in the shape of griffins, and an automaton scene. The drum clock is supported by an ormolu Asian figure, with ruby paste-gem bezel and ormolu top in the shape of an urn surmounted by two brass dolphins. The ormolu frame is in the shape of rocks at the shore of sea surround an automaton scene of a port.


Paul Rimbault worked in London from 1770 to 1785. He was known for his fine musical clocks, particularly for the Chinese market. An example of his work is in the Forbidden City collection, Palace Museum, Beijing.