Lot 64 | China and France | EXCEPTIONAL TABLE CLOCK WITH PORCELAIN QILIN

EXCEPTIONAL TABLE CLOCK WITH PORCELAIN QILIN.

China and France.
Date: Beginning and 1st half 18th cent.
Technique: Porcelain, partially enriched in colours and firegilded bronze.
Description: Finely worked, stone-imitating bronze base with porcelain flowers trim. At the front of
the rim one small dragon that is biting the left hind leg of the Qilin standing on the
base. The blanc de chine figure of the mythical creature itself is displayed with an
opened mouth and the head turned to the beholder. On its back there is a saddle with a
large blossom, which is carrying the clock case. The case that has been worked from a
brush pot at the top and surrounded by flower tendrils with blossoms enriched in colours
at the sides. Clock with enamel dial with Roman numerals and Arabic minutes. Pendulum
clock movement with echappement.
Measurement: 35x18x13cm.

Provenance:
Private collection Cologne, acquired Kunsthandel Vanderven Oriental Art, s'Hertogenbosch.

Besides the dragon "Long", the phoenix "Fenghuang" and the turtle "Gui", the "Qilin" as the so-called Chinese unicorn is one of the four legendary creatures of East Asian mythology. It was born at the earth's centre and lives in heaven. According to mythology, the Quilin appeared in 5000 BC when it brought the legendary emperor Fu-Hsi the Chinese characters on its back. Its appearance is designed as follows: a peaceful and colourful creature whose body consists of a dragon head and scaled skin with four legs, ox hooves attached to them and a lion's tail. On its head it is wearing antlers in ivory, at its chin there are the barbels of a carp. Although it possesses strong fangs, the creature is peaceful.
The qilin also came on the occasion of the birth of Kong Fuzi (551 BC) and predicted the arrival of a "wise ruler without a throne". In the following time, the qilin appeared especially to deliver prophecies of a good ruler or of a scholar whose work lead to a period of luck. As a symbol for military triumph, the creature was embroidered on the first rang officers' robes. To date, the creature is viewed by the Chinese population as a symbol for luck, peace, and blessing. Hence, festivities and parades are decorated with depictions of the fantastic creature, the ceremonial 'qilin dancy' is performed during New Year's and the entrances of the temples are decorated with figures of the mythical creature that shall bring luck to the house.