A Chinese 'Double Happiness' Gingerbread Clock, Deshunxing

EARLY 20TH CENTURY

二十世紀初喜字紋木樓鐘
標記：山東煙臺德順興造鈡厰
the ebonized carved wood case detailed with architectural gilt rocaille elements, all risen above a cantilevered base. The dial door painted with a 'double happiness' character amidst floral sprays. The dial with painted Arabic hours.
德順興是中國第一家民族鐘表工厰，由山東實業家、中國鐘表制造工業創始人李東山在1915年創建，1918年研製出中國第一批座鐘，本拍品即是在這樣的背景下生產的。1938年烟臺淪陷后，日軍要求入股德順興，遭到李東山强烈拒絕，結果日本憲兵隊羅織罪名抓走李的兒子。李東山本人在家庭和生意均受打擊的情況下，逐漸退出了經營管理。本座鐘錶雖然機芯和外觀不如西洋鐘錶精緻，但這一時期的歷史意義不可抹去。

Height 20 x width 11 1/2 x depth 5 in., 50.8 x 29.2 x 12.7 cm.

Property from the Halim Time & Glass Museum, Evanston, Illinois

Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve 本拍品不設底價

At the time of writing, the movement is in working condition but will require service from an horologist. The case in overall good and stable condition, scuffs, marks and light wear throughout and consistent with use and age.

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Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

[email protected]312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

Flora Zhang

Specialist, Asian Works of Art

[email protected]312.447.3290

Property from the Halim Time & Glass Museum: Sold Without Reserve

A Chinese 'Double Happiness' Gingerbread Clock, Deshunxing

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