The emperor Qianlong collected Western clocks throughout his 60-year reign, building upon the interest of his grandfather Kangxi.
The missionary Valentine Chalier wrote in 1736: “As for clocks, the Imperial palace is stuffed with them……there must be more than 4000 from the best masters of Paris and London…”
The ‘Chinese market’ clock offered at Bellmans in Billingshurst on May 12 had been a valuation day consignment from a local private vendor.