PITTSFIELD, MASS. — A musical automaton clock, made in England during the Eighteenth Century for the Chinese imperial court, sold for just under $1,000,000 at Fontaine’s January 21 sale. Finishing at $998,250, including the buyer’s premium, the clock sold to an American buyer.

The bronze case of the clock is made in the form of a pagoda which raises and contracts in a two-hour cycle, during which the Chinese folk song, Mo Li Hua, is played. An eight-day double fusee movement drives three painted dials, as well as the automaton and musical movements. Very few of these clocks are known and the maker has not yet been identified. Fontaine promoted the clock extensively, including using a website in China.

A complete report on the auction will follow in an upcoming edition.