A very rare sundial from palace imperial workshop
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork: Pre 1800: Item # 1468772
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork: Pre 1800: Item # 1468772
Please refer to our stock # 340 when inquiring.
price uppon request
An extremely rare gilt bronze folding sundial-compass. Enamel dial, details in glass beads. The metal is finely chiselled with elegant volutes and gilded in the oven using the technique of gold-mercury amalgam. Very beautiful thick gilding that has withstood wear and tear well over the centuries. Chinese work from the qianlong period towards the end of the 18th century.This type of scientific instruments ordered by the qianlong emperor, were manufactured in the workshops of the imperial palace, inside the forbidden city.There are in the collections of the palace 2 identical instruments, but smaller, worn, incomplete, and of less good quality.
The one presented here is in perfect condition and has part of its original box.
Length 16,5cm.
