A Directoire ormolu and patinated bronze 'au bon sauvage' mantel clock circa 1800, the dial signed Inv. Feci. de Verberie & C.gnie., Rue des Fossés de Temple No. 47 a Paris

Maurice Segoura, Paris, 1978 

The dial with hairline cracks, minor chips and surface dirt to enamel. Ormolu with rubbing in areas;most to base. Scattered traces of oxidation and surface dirt; not extensive. Patinated bronze in good overall condition. Palm tree with losses to branches. Lady's staff lacking finial. Case lacking back plate. In otherwise good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This model is based upon the drawing A la Sauvage, dated L'An VI (1799), conserved in the Bibliothèque National, Paris, illustrated, Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p. 381, fig. 5.15.28. The design represents America, and it is inscribed De Verberie - De Verberie was a marchand mercier working in Paris where he sold clocks such as the present example and others of similar inspiration, often flanked by complementary candlesticks. A similar model is in the Musée François Duesberg, Mons, Belgiusm, illustrated, Pierre Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la pendule Française, Paris, 1997, p. 353 fig. C. Others with this figural group are illustrated, Kjellberg, op. cit., p. 352, figs A, B. Similar examples of this model sold on the international art market include one sold, Sotheby's, Monaco, June 19, 1992, lot 7; another sold Sotheby's, New York, May 3, 1986, and a third from the collection of Mark Shand, Esq., sold, Christie's, London, December 9, 1993, lot 29.

Please see page 158 for an additional illustration of this lot.