A mid-20th century chinoiserie grandmother clock, decorated on…
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A mid-20th century chinoiserie grandmother clock, decorated on a cream ground with floral motifs and Oriental scenes to the hood, trunk and base, the eight-day Smiths, Enfield movement chiming on a series of gongs. Chinese calligraphy to the interior with date 1952. Height 135 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Prof. G. Dawson.

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  • Date Aperture - A date aperture is a cut out section in the face of a watch or clock, displaying the day of the month.
  • Hood - In longcase clocks, the hood is the wooden case that surrounds the works and dial, and includes the glass front, which is usually hinged, so the door can be opened to wind the clock or adjust the time. In 18th and 19th century longcase clocks the hood usually slides forward for removal, allowing access to the works.
  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
  • Chinoiserie - Furniture and decorative items decorated in imitation of a Western interpretation of the Chinese style. The Chinoiserie style first became popular in the late 17th century, though there were frequent revivals, notably by Chippendale (hence 'Chinese Chippendale') during the Regency period, and the Anglo-Japanese style in the second half of the 19th century.

    The ubiquitous 'willow pattern' is the most common 'Chinese' theme used in porcelain, while on furniture the Chinoiserie style usually has black or red painted and lacquered decoration, though the hallmark of the furniture style is the use of fretwork in geometrical patterns, pagodas and other decorative forms.

    Japonaiseries, as the name implies, are motifs in imitation of the Japanese taste.

    See also "Chinese Chippendale".

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