Chinese Bronze, Enamel And Glass Paste Sundial. 18th Century Workshops Of The Imperial Palace.

Very rare sundial in cast bronze, enamel, glass paste and steel, Chinese work from the 18th century. Two similar examples are housed at the Palace Museum in Beijing and are illustrated in the catalog of scientific instruments in the collection. It is interesting to note, thanks to our sundial, that the feet are missing from the sundials of the Palace which was not remarkable at first glance, although on examination it was shocking that simple threaded rods acted of feet on such precious instruments. Ours is preserved in its original box which is carved from a single block of hardwood in a natural dark reddish-brown color. There are very few known examples of this type of sundial and we do not know of any other with its original box. Unfortunately the centuries have heavily oxidized it and damaged it, it has lost its enamel dial, its brass level which must have contained mercury, and some of its glass paste inlays. A restoration with the same materials is possible, with a perfect result. It is a work of art that deserves it. Dimensions: 85x128mm. Unfolded 173mm. Box: 100x140mm Some scholars attribute these sundials to the palace workshops that were inside the Forbidden City.