L'Afrique Mantle Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1800
This mantle clock, titled 'L'Afrique' and attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie, dates to circa 1800. Constructed in gilded and patinated brass, the timepiece features a circular movement with an anchor escapement and strikes the hours and half-hours on a bell, with an external count wheel.
The dial is white enamel with Roman hour numerals and Arabic fifteen-minute markers, fitted with 'flèche' hands and a bezel decorated with pearls. The clock is set on an splayed plinth raised on six toupie feet, which is embellished with a frieze of three figures engaged in hunting, fishing, and gathering, overseen by a putto. The main subject is a female figure seated on the clock drum, adorned with a feathered headdress, tunic, and skirt, accompanied by a lioness.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- Circa 1800
- Type
- Mantle clock
- Dimensions
- 48 x 37 cm
- Escapement
- Anchor
- Dial marking
- à Paris
- Place recorded
- France
- Base construction
- Six toupie feet
- Maker attribution
- Attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie
- Striking mechanism
- Hours and half-hours on a bell
- Maker / attribution
- Attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial is inscribed 'à Paris' at the base. • A quiver of arrows is mounted on the back of the female figure. • The base is ornamented with garlands of foliage and fruit at the sides. • The figure's left hand holds a bow while her right hand holds an arrow.
- Case and Aesthetic Design
- The clock is housed in a case of gilded and patinated brass, centered on a sculptural representation of a huntress. The central figure, seated upon the cylindrical clock housing, wears a feathered crown and a tunic accented with a feathered apron. Behind her is a quiver of arrows, while her left hand grips a bow. To her right, a lioness sits on the plinth. The clock drum is framed by a bezel detailed with a row of pearls, which complements the pearl-adorned splayed plinth below. The plinth, which is elevated on six toupie feet, serves as a stage for sculptural relief work. It depicts three figures occupied with hunting, fishing, and gathering activities, monitored by a putto aiming an arrow. The lateral ends of the base are finished with decorative garlands featuring leaves and fruits, providing a dense ornamentation consistent with the sculptural theme.
- Movement and Dial Details
- The timepiece utilizes a round movement equipped with an anchor escapement. It provides a striking function for the hours and half-hours, which acts upon a bell. The mechanism incorporates an external count wheel, a feature often associated with clocks of this era. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for fifteen-minute increments. The time is indicated by brass 'flèche' (arrow-shaped) hands. The auction description notes that the dial bears the inscription 'à Paris', though the piece itself is unsigned by a specific maker. A slight crack is reported on the enamel dial surface.
- Documentation and Comparative Models
- This clock belongs to a series of models historically associated with Jean-Simon Deverberie, dating back to 1798/99 (An VII). The model is documented in various horological publications, including references to draped and undraped variations. Comparisons are drawn to examples housed in public collections, such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, which similarly feature only the 'à Paris' signature designation. The auction description confirms that while this specific item is attributed to Deverberie, it is noted to have small accidents, losses, and restorations. These historical references serve to situate the object within a broader context of early 19th-century French mantle clock production, particularly those focusing on 'Afrique' themed motifs.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact identity of the clockmaker remains unconfirmed beyond the attribution to Jean-Simon Deverberie.
- Research required: The specific provenance of this individual example is not detailed beyond its resemblance to documented models.