Beschreibung:

A fine George III ebonised and ormolu-mounted musical automaton four-train table clock for the Chinese Market, circa 1780, the case on detachable base supported by massive foliate scroll feet, foliate handles to the sides set with foliate trellis ormolu sound frets, front and rear angles applied with trailing foliage with musical trophies, the break-arch top with three ormolu framed panels and surmounted with five Grecian urn finials, the dial with Roman and Arabic enamel chapter disc with elaborate florally pierced and chased ormolu hands with counterpoised sweep centre seconds, subsidiary enamel discs below for strike/silent and four tune selection, foliate spandrels, the arch depicting a painted garden scene with automaton Chinese and European figures parading in the foreground and proceeding around to the back to reappear in front of a bridge with a similated waterfall background, the massive six pillar four train movement, each with chain fusee, original verge escapement, the music playing on ten bells via thirteen hammers and 8cm. long pin barrel, hour strike on bell, the quarters on two bells on the backplate signed Coleman within foliate engraving, securing brackets to the case; original foliate engraved winding key 27in. (68.5cm.) high