TIMEPIECES
0047 The following item was included in the catalogue of Capitaine Negroni’s collection of spoils from the Yuanmingyuan, exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1865:
174. A little golden filagree cage of the style of Louis XVI., ornamented with fine pearls and enamels. In the base is a piece of mechanism, calculated to be composed of 2,500 distinct pieces. In connection with it is a watch and two beautiful little birds, which move and sing in the most natural manner. The movement is not simply turning from side to side, but wings, beak, tail, and eyes are all in motion, and the tone is just what might be produced by a living bird. [0047 also listed under mechanical toys.]
See Catalogue of Captain de Negroni's Collection of Porcelain, Jade, Jewels, Silks, Furs, Stones, &c., from Yuen-Min-Yuen, (The Summer Palace) Pekin, London: McCorquodale & Co. 1865, p. 30.) The collection was sold through Messrs. Foster in June 1866. (16 June 1866, Birmingham Gazette, p. 4.)
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0155 A report on the opening of a jewelry exhibition at the South Kensington Museum in 1871 noted: ‘Mrs. Sasson contributes a gold watch, set in enamel, which was sent by Queen Charlotte as a present to the empress of China of her time, and which was taken from the Summer Palace at Pekin... ’ (6 June 1872, London Daily News, p. 5.) 26 February 2016.
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0172 In 1874 a volunteers’ bazaar was held at St. Leonards Assembly Room to defray costs of a drill shed for the St. Leonards Artillery Volunteers. A reporter noted the many appealing objects in the art exhibition, concluding:
‘Mr. Maclean’s collection, however, was the chief centre of attraction, he exhibiting some costly articles formerly belonging to the Emperor of China, and which were taken from the summer palace at Pekin. First and foremost came a splendid gold watch inlaid with diamonds, and valued at 2000 guineas, which was presented to the former Emperor of China by Napoleon I., a necklace of jaspar, as worn by a Mandarin of the highest class; two of the Emperor’s seals, an exquisitely carved rhinoceros’s horn, beautifully carved ivory book cover, and an Imperial quilt, formed of ivory shavings, and lined with royal damask.’ (24 October 1874, Hastings and St. Leonard Observer, p. 7.) [0172 also listed under jewelry, rhinoceros horn, seals, ivory, and textiles.] 26 February 2016.
中文:
1874 年 St. Leonards 的 集 会 室 有 一个 为 St. Leonards 志願 炮兵 建 风 雨棚 的 筹款。 一个 记者 记 录 了 艺术展 上 许多 吸引 人 的 物件并总结 道: 「然而 Maclean 先生 的 典藏 是 会 场 的 焦点。他 展 出了一些 原来 属于 中国 皇帝 并且 取自 北京 圆明园 的 珍贵物件。其中 最重要的 是 一块镶着 钻 石 的 华 丽 金表 估价在 2000几尼。这是 由 拿破仑一世赠送给 前中国 皇帝 的。 一个 满族 官品最大的 官 员穿戴的朝珠; 两 方 中国 皇帝 的 印玺; 一个 精雕 犀牛角; 一个 精雕 象牙 包书皮, 和 一 个 装 饰 象 牙璎珞 衣 的 皇家 绫 锻 棉 被。」 (1874 年十月 二十 四日, Hastings and St. Leonard Observer, 第七页。)
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0160 An article on the Chester Art Loan Exhibition in 1875 reported:
‘Among the “old plate” is a curious antique watch, which was taken by Captain Lascelles from the summer palace at Pekin. This timepiece is about 4 1/2 inches in diameter and is exceedingly heavy. On pressing a little stone which is set in the ring, the mechanism inside plays a tune, and figures revolve around a landscape carved on the back. The watch is of undoubted English workmanship, and is believed to have been taken by Lord Macartney.’ (9 January 1875, Wrexham Advertiser, p. 8.) 26 February 2016.
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0239 On loan to the Aberdeen Art Gallery in 1894 was the collection of Mr. Alexander Stuart, Inchbreck. The Aberdeen Journal reported:
‘Among the articles are a French docket [sic] watch, with blue enamels and numerous pearls—loot from the Yuen-min-Yuen summer palace, Pekin ...’ (‘The Art Gallery Collection’, 19 April 1894, Aberdeen Journal, p. 4.) 26 February 2016.
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0249 Christie, Manson, and Woods were reported to have sold in the spring of 1897 ‘an 18th century English chiming watch clock, taken from the Emperor’s bed-room in the Summer Palace at Pekin by Lieutenant Smith, £31 10s.’ (13 March 1897, Morning Post, p. 4.) 26 February 2016.
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0111 Among the many sensational accounts of French plunder appearing in the British press after the 1860 invasion is this reprint from Journal du Havre, which mentions a European clock:
China–THE FRENCH BOOTY.–The following appears in the Journal du Havre:–‘With regard to the booty made in China, inestimable conquests, in an artistical and historical point of view, are spoken of. The part acquired by France would alone suffice for the formation of an immense Chinese museum. Among other things mentioned is a clock, of wonderful workmanship, with carved figures representing the seasons; all the wardrobe of the Empress of China, &c. There has also fallen to the lot of the French an edition of Confucius, which belonged to the celebrated Emperor Kag-Di, the Napoleon I of the Chinese, and having notes in his handwriting. Among the other objects found in the summer palace, and which are in parts reserved for France, is an elephant of natural size, in gilt and enamelled bronze, and most magnificent.’ (1 January 1861, Kentish Gazette, p. 8.) 26 February 2016.
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0008 An auction at Phillips in 1861 featured a group of ornate boxes, small carvings and timepieces from Europe under the heading: ‘The following OBJECTS were taken from the Emperor’s Summer Palace, at Pekin.’
87 An oblong GOLD BOX, engraved and chased, with a watch inserted in the lid and a musical movement at the bottom.
94 A beautiful old chased GOLD WATCH, the back of bloodstone, set with precious stones, and repeating movement by J. Champion.
95 A watch, by Acton, in a chased copper gilt case.
(A Catalogue of a Consignment of Interesting Objects from Pekin Including A Gold Box, with Watch inserted, and Musical Movement, others with Agates and Rare Stones, Ancient Gold Watches, by Champion and Acton, Agate and Gold Necessaire, A Figure Chased in Gold, Carvings in Ivory, also, a Casket of Jewellery, Consisting of Necklettes, Bracelets, Rings, and Ornaments of the Person, enriched with Diamonds, Rubies, Opals, Turquoise and other stones; ... 18th July 1861’, produced by M. Phillips, auctioneer. p. 6.)
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0088 An account of a tour through the Alps appeared in 1863 in the Glasgow Herald, under the title ‘Travelling Notes of an Invalid in Search of Health’. The author commended the watchmakers of Fleurier, in Neuchâtel:
‘It is confidently affirmed even that Paris is not better known at Kamschatka than the little town of Fleurier, and that the mass of horological loot which the French soldiers carried off from the Summer Palace at Pekin had been made by the artisans of Fleurier. In fact, that place had for a long period obtained the exclusive privilege of sending into the Celestial Empire the number of from ten to twelve thousand watches annually.’ (3 August 1863, Glasgow Herald, p. 4.) 26 February 2016.
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0047 The following 19 items were included in the catalogue of Capitaine Negroni’s collection of spoils from the Yuanmingyuan, exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1865:
p. 26
European Jewels Presented at Various Times to the Emperors of China.
142. A time-piece, in the form of a flacon, in the style of Louis XV., enriched with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and turquoise, &c. Above the dial is a visible escapement, set with diamonds, and on the other side of the flacon there is a compartment containing a small mechanical singing bird, perched on a delicate golden spray; its movement and its notes are most natural. The stopper serves for a key to wind up the mechanism.
145. An enamelled watch, enriched with fine pearls and rubies; also style of Louis XV.
146. A beautiful lady’s watch of the same style.
p. 27
148. An oval enamel watch of the style of Louis XVI., enriched with diamonds and fine pearls, in great profusion. The enamel is beautiful in the extreme; the mechanism only requires winding-up once in eight days. It was made by W. Anthony, of London, to replace the original works.
149. A round enamelled watch of the same style, also enriched with pearls and diamonds. The enamel is splendid; the engraving remarkably fine. The movement is also by W. Anthony.
150. A watch exactly like the above, made to suit the Oriental fancy of having pairs of everything.
151. A smaller watch, with large rose-diamond in the centre, with two diamond circles surrounded by gold and pearl scrolls, terminating with diamonds.
152. A beautiful enamelled watch, with circles of fine pearls. It has also a medallion in the centre, with a Chinese character in diamonds, resting on a beautiful enamelled group of flowers; while the whole is surmounted by a beautiful little carrier-pigeon. Style of Louis XVI.
153. A double-cased watch of the same epoch, enriched with pearls, emeralds, &c., and retaining its original movement. It is surmounted by a beautiful medallion in the style of Boucher, representing the portrait of a Duaphine; the ornaments of her coiffeur, her laces, and other rich articles of dress, are given with and delicacy.
154. A large watch of the time of Louis XVI., enriched with fine enamels and five large pearls in the centre, surrounded by scrolls of gold, set with pearls. The movement is very fine, it goes for eight days.
155. A watch found among the jewels of the Empress. It is of most beautiful workmanship and exquisite taste; on the back is a group of roses and other flowers on a turquoise ground. Their truth to nature is perfectly wonderful. The whole is encircled with pearls.
156. An enamel watch, with repeating movement in steel. It is enriched with pearls, and has a medallion on which is represented a young lady standing over a cradle, which contains a charming little infant; the drawing and painting of these figures are very artistic. The style is Louis XVI.
p. 28
157. A watch of the same period, having a double scroll of pearls surrounding a fine red enamel. The dial of this watch has been broken, and is replaced by a silver one of Chinese manufacture; the imperfect workmanship shows how little they understood watch-making.
158. A watch of the time of Louis XIII., enriched with a group of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, on a slab of onyx. The dial is encircled by similar stones.
159. A time-piece of the same period, ornamented with a great variety of agates and enamels, of which the arrangement is wonderfully effective.
160. A small time-piece of the time of Louis XVI. It has a double border of pearls and a beautiful enamelled medallion over the dial, representing a young lady in the costume of that age, holding an infant to catch a passing dove, while another child endeavors to climb up her robe and forestall him. The whole group is very pleasingly arranged, and the execution is admirable. These enamels were painted by Watteau.
p. 42
396. A time-piece with chimes, found on a console facing the throne. It formed part of the present accompanying the embassy of Earl Macartney, in 1793. It chimes the quarters, and has a fine musical box in the base.
397. Another time-piece found in the same place. A time-piece in ordinary wood case, ornamented by order of one of the Emperors.
161. A fellow time-piece, completing the pair.
(See Catalogue of Captain de Negroni's Collection of Porcelain, Jade, Jewels, Silks, Furs, Stones, &c., from Yuen-Min-Yuen, (The Summer Palace) Pekin, London: McCorquodale & Co. 1865, pp. 31-40.) The collection was sold through Messrs. Foster in June 1866. (16 June 1866, Birmingham Gazette, p. 4.) [all the above also listed under European Objets d’Art.] 26 February 2016.
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0110 After the 1860 war, the British press published broadsides against the French army, which they asserted had taken the lion’s share of loot at the Yuanmingyuan. Many editorials emphasized the French interest in jewels and watches, which suggests the large number of timepieces from the palace that might now be in circulation. One such account in the Liverpool Mercury quoted a member of the British expedition:
The number of watches is immense. I believe every French soldier has got one, and I know of one man who brought away 92. The Emperor had a decided taste for clocks and watches. In every room of the palace were some handsome ormolu clocks by London and French makers, and some of the watches I have seen among the French are of superior workmanship and elaborate and costly setting. (1 January 1861, Liverpool Mercury, p. 2.) 26 February 2016.
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All material on this page, unless otherwise credited, was produced by Kate Hill, who asserts her authorship of the work. © Kate Hill, Yuanmingyuan Artefact Index, 2016