Cross-Cultural Communication
The Development of British Timepieces in China During the Qianlong Period (1736-1799)
Abstract
This article studies the development and impact of the British timepieces trade in China during the Qianlong Period (1736-1799). In the first part of the article, I explore the inherent relationship between British timepieces and the Chinese art market, including the purpose and social background of introducing British timepieces into China. Afterward, I examine the influence of British timepieces on the Chinese upper class, thereby interpreting the application and significance of Western culture and technology in Chinese court life. Finally, I analyze the characteristics of British timepieces in the Chinese market and summarize their adjustments to cater to the needs of the Chinese market. This study provides an essential reference for investigating the trade history background of cross-cultural material exchanges between China and Britain in the eighteenth century.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13741
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