Gold-Plated Copper Openwork Enamel Inlaid Gemstone Monk Ringing Bell and Beating Clock

Gold-Plated Copper Openwork Enamel Inlaid Gemstone Monk Ringing Bell and Beating Clock

(Modern replica of the classic late Qing Dynasty style, a candidate for cultural heritage status)

Dimensions:

• Height 46 cm, Width 23.5 cm, Thickness 18.5 cm

This replica is modeled after the classic wide clock style from the late Qing Dynasty. The clock body is entirely made of gold-plated copper with intricate openwork floral designs and carvings, featuring delicate and refined floral shapes. The round domed top is adorned with openwork floral patterns, and five pineapple-shaped copper decorations are symmetrically arranged around the platform. Below is a viewing box for moving figures, with demonstration mechanisms set between bamboo-like copper columns on both sides. Inside the pavilion, a gilded Buddha statue is enshrined, with a monk in purple robes ringing the bell on the left and a monk in yellow robes beating the wooden fish on the right.

At the hour, as the time bell rings, the purple-robed monk figure raises his hand to strike the bell, while the yellow-robed monk figure beats the wooden fish. Below the viewing box is a white clock face, surrounded by red gemstones, with floral and bird patterns filled with enamel decorations on a carved floral background.

The interior of the clock casing features the classic wide clock mechanism, equipped with a crown escapement mechanism, a single pendulum, and eight bells on the right side for marking the quarter hours, and a single bell on the left side for the hour. At each quarter hour, the eight bells chime in succession; at half past the hour, they chime twice; at three-quarters past the hour, they chime three times; and on the hour, the single bell rings, accompanied by the monks in the viewing box ringing the bell and beating the wooden fish. This cycle continues, symbolizing blessings and auspiciousness.