Lot 495. An Important Imperial Chinese Gilt-Bronze Lion Clock Stand, Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Height 12 5/8 in.; width 15 in. 32 cm; 38 cm. Estimate 180,000-220,000 USD. Lot sold 266,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's 2012

cast striding upon an oval pedestal encircled with lobed lotus lappets and inlaid in turquoise, coral, lapis and other hardstones, its large head turned to its left and framed by a curling mane, the back draped with a finely chased saddle blanket and shaped mount supporting a large octagonal clock-frame, cast around the border with the Eight Daoist Trigrams in a compressed band, all on a wooden stand. Together with a pair-cased coach watch with replaced modern movement, white enamel dial and paste-set bezel, the inner case centered with an engraved foliate motif, the outer case back centered by a polychromed enamel scene of a maiden playing the harp, pierced scrolling decoration to both bands. 3 pieces. 

Note: From the time the first clocks were brought to China from Europe around 1582, the Chinese Emperors were fascinated with European mechanical clockworks. 

The Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795) in particular was an avid collector of all types of timepieces and automatons and his enthusiasm for both European and Chinese-made clocks and watches was limitless. He had thousands of European and Chinese clocks in his collection, and more than 4,000 examples existed in the Imperial Palaces.

Sotheby's. Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor. New York, 24 sept. 2012