A French empire 'au bon sauvage' mantel clock Portefaix

The timepiece mounted in an ormolu bronze “Baal” carried by an ormolu and patinated bronze carrier, holding a letter and a stick. stands on an oval base with openwork reliefs on the front of parrots and a monkey on palm leaves, supported by four ball feet. The representation of true exotics was at the time of the Directoire, a very popular subject, with the overseas colonies. In the late 18th century, it was the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau who introduced the concept of "the noble savage"(le bon sauvage). The novels Paul Et Virgine by Bernadin De Saint-Pierere and Atala by Chateaubriand also featured these noble savages and were very popular at the time. This made them an inspiration for a number of bronziers. The "Portifaix" model, based on a design by Jean-André Reiche, depicts a dynamic and reliable boy. Here in the figure of Portifaix, an anecdotal background also shines through. Thus, the bearer is often called upon not only to carry the goods, but also appears as a messenger.Compositionally new, the figure was designed as a free-standing sculpture in which the cylinder of the clockwork is fully integrated. The set is perfect condition. Circa 1800.
Literature:
Enclopédie de la Pendule Fraincaise, Pieree Kjellberg, page 343 Die Französische Bronze Uhr, Elke Niehüser page 149 French Clocks The World Over, Tardy Part Two, page 248