Antiques M.S. Rau | The Prince Of Brunei Skeleton Clock By Asprey

This Skeleton Clock By Garrard &Amp; Asprey Commissioned By His Royal Highness Prince Jefri Bolkiah Of Brunei Is A Feat Of Horological Artistry. Crafted In Gold With Meticulous Attention To Detail And Adorned With Priceless Jewels, This Magnificent Timepiece Stands As A Testament To The Prince’S Extraordinary Taste.

Brunei, A Small Yet Tremendously Wealthy Country In Southeast Asia, Has Become Synonymous With Extravagance Under The Rule Of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, With This Exquisite Skeleton Clock As A Showcase Of The Sultan’S Influence. Commissioned By The Sultan’S Brother Prince Jefri Bolkiah, Known For His Insatiable Appetite For Rare Luxuries, This Skeleton Clock Was Crafted By The Esteemed Artisans At Garrard &Amp; Asprey Of London. As The Finance Minister And Head Of The Brunei Investment Authority (Bia) For 13 Years, Prince Jefri Bolkiah Embarked On A Global Spending Spree, Acquiring Asprey, The British Royal Jeweler, Before Merging It With Garrard &Amp; Co. In 1998. Prince Jefri’S Dedication To Acquiring Unique Luxury Items During His Tenure Averaged A Staggering $747,000 Per Day For Over 10 Years On Lavish Purchases, And It Is Clear That He Spared No Expense In Commissioning This Horological Marvel, Which Cost $6 Million To Produce.

The Towering Work Of Art Is Composed Entirely Of Rare Rock Crystal And 18K Gold, Including The Movement, And Every Inch Is Embellished With A Bounty Of Precious Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies And Sapphires. The Beautifully Engraved Movement Is Flanked By Two Fierce Tigers, All Encased In A Rock Crystal Egg Adorned With A Blue And Yellow Sapphire Clasp. Below The Egg, Three 18K Gold Elephants, Set With Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies And Sapphires Of Various Sizes, Add A Further Level Of Grandeur, Along With A Nod To The Prince’S Southeast Asian Heritage. All Together, Approximately 345.90 Total Carats Of Sapphires And 49.10 Carats Of Diamonds, Along With 166.75 Carats Of Rubies And 8.75 Carats Of Emeralds, Adorn The Magnificent Clock.

Besides Its Aesthetic Magnificence, The Clock Also Stands Apart For Its Mechanical Brilliance. The Movement Pivots 90 Degrees When The Egg Is Opened To Reveal The Clock’S Face, Which Sports Gold And Blue Sapphire-Encrusted Roman Numerals. The Back Of The Movement Also Features A Calendar Indicating The Date.

32″ High X 9″ Diameter

Provenance:
Private Collection, Tx
Private Collection, Ny