A DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE MANTEL CLOCK 'L'INDIEN ET L'INDIENNE ENLACÉ', JEAN-SIMON DEVERBERIE, PARIS, CIRCA 1800 |

5¼-inch enamel dial signed Deverberie, Int. Ft., Rue Barbet, Paris, finely pierced and engraved hands, the movement with anchor escapement, silk suspension and external locking plate striking on a bell, the drum flanked by an embracing couple dressed in feather skirts and headdresses and with glass eyes, the male figure holding a bow and arrow, all mounts finely cast and chased, on a green patinated rocky plinth with central waterfall and gilt flowers, the bow-ended base with a frieze of putti engaged in various pursuits, on toupie feet  

Similar examples are illustrated:
Kjellberg, P, Encyclopedie de La Pendule Francaise, Paris, 1997, p.356-7 B, C.
Tardy, Les Plus Belles Pendules Francaise, Paris 1994 (6th Edn.) Vol II, p.245

Dial has two hair cracks between I and II but otherwise good. Movement is complete and running at cataloguing but would benefit from a clean and fresh oil. Case is rather dirty, gilding to plin base rather rubbed, silvering to waterfall tarnished, two pears added to the headdresses, mounts in very good condition and retaining the original gilding, patination is dull and unpolished, repair to the female's right arm, two feet missing (left and right bow-ends), the rear removeable glass cover now lacking and now glazed to the inner bezel, otherwise good. With a pendulum and winder.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Jean-Simon Deverberie (1764-1824) was one of the most important Parisian bronziers of the late 18th century. With the abolition of the Guilds in 1791, he was able to establish a business where numerous trades such as casting, gilding, patination and finishing could be carried out together and by 1800 he was settled in Rue Barbet. Deverberie's company made and sold a variety of decorative bronze items but he has become most famous for his clock cases depicting African and American natives. Most usual are individual models representing Africa, seated with a panther and America, seated with an alligator. These were created at a time when there was a fascination in Europe with the idea of the noble savage or bon sauvage from exotic and faraway continents.

The present exceptional and rare model, l'Indien et l'Indienne, would appear to take it's influence from Classical Roman and Greek sculptures of Cupid and Psyche. The embraced figures also bears a resemblance to Canova's marble sculpture of Cupid reviving Psyche with a kiss, which was created in the early 1790s. From as early as the 16th century, American Indians had been portrayed carrying bows and arrows and this made the transformation to Cupid even easier.  Interestingly, Deverberie also designed a clock case with European figures in an almost identical pose and, as a shrewd businessman as well as a fine designer, he shows here how a theme can be exploited to maximum effect.

The original designs for this clock and others by Derverberie, dated 1799, can be found in the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris.

Represented in major collections throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Museum, New York (fig. 1), The Francois Duesberg Museum, Mons, Belgium and the Spanish Royal Collection in Madrid, virtually every example of this model is slightly different and it is likely that, being made to commission, it was possible for the client to specify their own particular variation. For instance, this example has a simulated waterfall where others have an opening to reveal the pendulum; all have glass eyes but some also have earrings. There are also subtle variations in the bracelets and other mounts to the base of the case.

Deverberie supplied his cases to other clockmakers as well, but the present example is particularly rare in that it is not only fully signed by him stating his Paris address in Rue Barbet, but it is also the proud indication that this piece was both designed and made by him (Int. Ft.). Other examples are known with dials signed by Revel, Lepine, and other clock makers and some have variations on the Deverberie signature, most commonly without a street address and just Paris.

An almost identical clock was sold at Koller Auctions, Zurich on 30th March, 2017, Lot 1241.