ABS-22 Consulat, 1802, Pierre-Philippe Thomire, rare fire-gilded and patinated bronze Blackamoor Clock. , 1802

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Description

Consulat, 1802, Pierre-Philippe Thomire, rare fire-gilded and patinated bronze Blackamoor Clock. Signature on the dial: J. Gevers a Rotterdam

A very rare French blackamoor clock originally inspired by the novel ‘Paul and Virginia’ written in 1788 by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre. The well modeled patinated figures with ormolu dresses and porcelain eyes carry the ormolu platform with Paul and Virginia on their shoulders. Paul and Virginia are accompanied by their dog and are clothed in typical European dress, but with a nod to nature remain barefooted. The blackamoor figures stand upon an ormolu rockwork ground that sits upon a shaped patinated and ormolu base standing on four elaborate bun feet. It has ormolu floral appliqués framing a fan shaped recessed plaque of two figures sailing a boat in a turbulent ocean. Suspended from the platform are vines covered in berries, a jug, a basket of flowers and the clock. The finely lettered porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic 15-minute marks, cast ormolu hands and a cast ormolu bezel. The eight-day two-train movement still retains its original silk-thread suspension and strikes on a bell.

Much like the other blackamoor clocks of the time, the native figures are portrayed as strong powerful figures with the porcelain eyes and silvered earrings adding to their realistic nature. Like many of the most popular French clocks it seems to capture a moment in time. The figures are in mid-stride, the dog is leaping and Paul and Virginia are in mid conversation. ‘Paul and Virginia’ was written in 1788 by the well-known novelist Bernardin de Saint-Pierre. Along with the other philosophers and novelists of the period he advocated that society merely corrupted people and that it is the life closer to nature, in attitude and in practice, that produces the good, natural man. Since the natives were closer to nature they were in turn closer to God and to be respected. Since Paul and Virginia lived on the island of Mauritius they too were removed from the influences of French society and were closer to nature so were also to be respected and admired. Since the novel was so popular and written before any of the blackamoor clocks were made one can assume it influenced the majority of clockmakers and bronzers of the period. The novel itself was a love story with a philosophical message and was Napoleon’s favorite book.

For photograph’s of similar clocks see: 'French Bronze Clocks, pg. 152 , 'Encyclopédie de La Pendule Française', Pierre Kjelberg, page 358

Height – 18.25in.

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