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Imperial Guardian Lion

Object Details

Description
A clock designed as a carved nephrite Chinese Imperial guardian lion and a young lion, the carved lion embellished with black enamel and gold mane and red enamel toenails, with eyes of cabochon emeralds for the large lion and cabochon rubies for the young lion, supporting a circular clock with carved citrine face, rose-cut diamond-set hands in the shape of a dragon and black enameled chapter ring with rose-cut diamond Arabic numerals stylized as Chinese calligraphy, the red enamel border studded with pearls, all atop a carved coral ball resting on a pearl-fringed saddle blanket atop the guardian lion, beside a carved coral branch with carved stone leaves and pearls, supported by a base of black-enameled gold accented with calibre-cut corals; mounted in platinum and gold; with original green leather Cartier case.
Data Source
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Producer
Maurice Coüet, French, 1885-1963
Cartier, French, founded 1847
Date
1929
Credit Line
Lent by Private Collection
Medium
Carved nephrite, enamel, gold, cabochon emeralds, cabochon rubies, carved citrine, rose-cut diamonds, carved and calibré-cut coral, pearls, carved stone, platinum
Dimensions
H x W x D: 17 × 9.3 × 16.2 cm (6 11/16 × 3 11/16 × 6 3/8 in.)
Type
timepieces & measuring devices
Exhibitions
Object Name
Mystery Clock
Type
Mystery Clock

Featured In

  • Clocks and Watches
  • West Meets East
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