A Chinese gilt bronze drum timepiece with alarm
Mid 19th century
The cylindrical case with pierced frieze chased with the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, hinged glazed bezel opening to expose the brass dial with applied white enamel chapter ring labeled with characters representing the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac, single hour hand and alarm setting disc in the matted center, circular twin chain fusee movement, back plate engraved with vines, pierced cock and flat brass five-arm balance to steel cylinder escapement, the separate alarm train striking with two hammers on bell mounted within case, raised on carved wooden stand. The clock 11.4 cm diam., 7.4 cm high