Objekt 1
Chinese fire clock
Description
On two rock crystal pedestals stands a boat-shaped vessel in the form of a dragon with its maw ripped open. An incense stick is lit in the vessel, which is lined with sheet brass. Across the dragon boat are placed thin threads, each with two small lead weights. When the incense stick lying in the vessel burns down, the threads are cut by the embers at certain intervals, the lead weights fall onto the jetty and trigger a gong beat.
Object description
China, probably 19th c.
Wood, ivory, velvet brocade, bronze, rock crystal, brass, lead, thread, incense sticks
Bequest Carl and Lini Nathan-Rupp, Binningen
Inv. 1982.1241.