this object was sold
line

Pendule Au Nègre, Allegory Of Africa - Directoire Circa 1800

Sold
Pendule Au Nègre, Allegory Of Africa - Directoire Circa 1800
pictures.

Object description :

"Pendule Au Nègre, Allegory Of Africa - Directoire Circa 1800"
Great ceremonial pendulum, called "the negro", allegory of Africa patinated bronze, very finely chiseled and gilded with mercury. Directoire period, late 18th century - circa 1800. Under the Directory, despite a political context and economic unfavorable, watchmaking continues its transformation. It was in his time that a model was created that would continue his career under the Empire, the pendulum to the Negro. Inspired by Paul and Virginie, the subject of the Negro appears at the end of the Directory. The group of characters is based on a contrast between the brown patina of the "negro" and his gilt bronze costume that is next to other characters or animals in gilded bronze. Our clock is a personification of Africa, made in the guise of a beautiful black-skinned huntress, armed with a bow and quiver, seated on the dial and dressed in a feathered loincloth and rich jewels. gold (bracelets, necklaces, earrings). His eyes are enamelled with sulphides to create an extremely neat living effect. Her feet rest to the right on a turtle, while she is flanked to the left of a lioness she holds in chain. The clock rests on an oval base with dome and projections, adorned in bas-relief with a frieze of putti African fishermen, hunters and gatherers, garlands of fruits, heads of fauna and serpents entwined. Six tops support it. The original drawing of this clock titled "Africa" ​​was deposited by the Parisian foundry-carver Jean-Simon Deverberie in Year VII (1799). It is kept at the National Library. The clocks "in the Negro" have enjoyed considerable and lasting success. They were produced in great numbers under the Directory and under the Empire, and even under the Restoration, marking, in full reign of neoclassicism, the beginnings of the romantic current. Clocks to the Negro or "the good wild" represent an idealized exoticism. In fact, all these "negroes" and "savages" are charming, well dressed, rather happy, in short, very idealized (the huntress has a turned-up nose, puttis frizzy hair, they are very richly dressed), while in in most cases, their existence was not idyllic (we are before the abolition of slavery). This high-collector's item is represented in several reference books: In Pierre Kjellberg, "Encyclopedia of the French Pendulum", Editions of the Amateur, 1997, pp. 347-348, model reproduced pp. 350-351and in the Tardy, The French Pendulum, Paris, 1994, a similar model reproduced p. 246. This clock, mythical model belongs to the highest quality of execution. The finesse of the carving, the depth of the patina and the gilding (these pieces were gilded 3 or 4 times), are without comparison with a standard piece. Excellent condition, movement with revised and functional thread with its key. Original gilding cleaned and extremely well preserved. incomplete arrow of its point, chain of the lioness brought back, the earrings probably reported also. 46 x 36.5 x 15 cm

View more from this dealer

View more - Mantel Clocks

Contact Dealer
Subscribe to newsletter
line
facebook
pinterest
instagram

GSLR Antiques
French Antiques - 18th to 20th century.

Pendule Au Nègre, Allegory Of Africa - Directoire Circa 1800
415270-1.jpg
+33658910924


*We will send you a confirmation email from info@proantic.com Please check your messages, including the spam folder.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form