Clock called "Paul and Virginia", in bronze with... Lot 41

Clock called "Paul and Virginia", in bronze with double patina gilded with mat and gloss and black. Two black bearers carrying the round dial surmounted by the couple, heroes of the novel by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, seated, accompanied by their dog Fidèle. The quadrangular base presents a bas-relief, applied, with a half-moon pattern of a shipwreck scene and sprays and pampers in the spandrels, resting on four small feet in galette. Mechanical movement with key winding. Circa 1800-1810. H. 46 cm. - Length : 33 cm. - Depth : 13,5 cm. Wear to the gilding, shocks, without cylinder supporting the movement, missing glass, missing element of an earring. At the end of the 18th century, representations of African characters were still rare in watchmaking production. It is only in the last years of the century that this decoration appears under the name of "Nègre" or "Bons Sauvages" evoked by the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This theme was taken up again under the influence of literature and the philosophical current resulting from it, notably in novels such as Attala by Chateaubriand, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Paul and Virginia by Bernardin de Saint Pierre. The latter, published in 1787, tells the story of Innocence through two children who live on the Island of France, the future Island of Mauritius. The two teenagers in love will see their destinies broken by the mother of the young girl who will send her to study in France. On her return to the island, her boat is wrecked and Virginie drowns before Paul's eyes. Bibliography : Pierre Kjellberg, Encyclopedia of French clocks from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, 1997, similar clock reproduced Fig. C p. 358.