In the 18th century, an emerging class of citizens used their acquired wealth to indulge a passion for beautiful objects named objects of vertu, a term likely borrowed from the Italian word 'virtuoso'. The goldsmith and entrepreneur James Cox (c.1723- 1800) was celebrated for his sumptuous objets de vertu, particularly those with automaton and watch movements. He bought his watch and clock movements from other craftsmen. The quality of craftsmanship on this piece, as well as other similar objects by Cox, seems to suggest that other elements may have been outsourced.

Cox’s products were mainly intended for export: he benefitted from East India Company investors who commissioned presentation gifts. The Company allowed Cox to trade with the Imperial family of China, and some of his pieces can be found in the collections of the Imperial Palacein Beijing today.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.