The auction features a group of scientific instruments that belonged to Georges Baptiste, former president of the Belgian Chamber of Art Dealers, while the star turn among the horology is set to be an elaborate gilt bronze chiming Chinese automaton clock.
These Chinese clocks were inspired by 18th century British models made for export to the east known as ‘Sing Songs’. This particular example was made in the early 19th century by a Canton craftsman and is signed Coeng Sing Canton. The clock is typical of its type, standing 3ft 1in (95cm) high with features such as a waterfall of revolving glass rods and a ‘pinwheel’ finial, and is guided at €30,000-50,000.
The 2ft 4in (73cm) high Roman torso of Venus/Aphrodite, based on a Hellenic model of the 3rd-4th century BC, is a sale highlight. Dating from the 1st century AD, it comes from the collection of the Bernheim-Jeune dynasty of art dealers and is estimated at €300,000-500,000.
