An 18th-century British clock that was given to the Chinese royal court as a present is up for auction in Poly Auction on Dec. 7 in Beijing, China Daily reported.
Made by master craftsman Peter Torckler during the late 18th century, the clock shows designs influenced by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) royal court. The timepiece is made of gilded-bronze and stands at a height of 1.02 meters.
Five integral parts make up the chime clock and features a music box that sits at the base. Landscapes adorn the music box, which also features four "shui fa" or waterworks fountain designs.
Meanwhile, the four legs of the timepiece were shaped into a Chinese man.
Another intricate feature of the chime clock is the timepiece's pedestal, which looks akin to a gold mountain. Once opened, it will reveal the clock's timing mechanism.
Aside from a time dial, there is also a music plate that shows the six compositions the music box can play.
Last but not the least, an elephant with a pavilion on its back stands at the top of the pedestal--a sign that symbolizes the idiom "tai ping you xiang" or "peace and affluence."
The gilded-bronze chime clock is believed to show certain British clock-making techniques that were popular during the time of King George III (1738-1820). As a present to the royal court, the clock was meant as an introduction to western art and science.
Two similar pieces are currently housed in the Palace Museum, both coming from the 18th century. These tokens are believed to be examples of the so-called "timepiece diplomacy," which occurred between the East and the West during the time period.