Miracle Child Birth Clock Circa 1820, Jean Simon Deverberie et Gérard

Table clock
Ormolu gilt bronze
Paris movement
Dimensions: H. 45 ; W. 35 ; D. 13 (cm.)
Paris, circa 1820

Beautiful table clock depicting the birth of the Duke of Bordeaux. The symbol of “maternity” is represented by Marie-Caroline, Duchess of Berry. She is breast-feeding the young Prince Henry V, born on September 29, 1820. Kneeling in the middle is her elder sister, Princess Marie-Thérèse, known as Mademoiselle d'Artois. Beautifully ornamented with gilded, finely chased and burnished bronzes, featuring a whole program of iconography to the glory of Legitimism.

The finesse of the execution, as well as the solid enamel dial, make this model one of the very first of this type, which was reproduced many times until the 1840s. It is the work of the talented bronzemaker and dealer Jean-Simon Deverberie, of whom we know several models of this clock signed by his factory.

Provenance: former Guerrand-Hermès collection at Hôtel de Lannion

Jean-Simon Deverberie (1764-1824) was one of the most prolific craftsmen of his time. Known as a bronzemaker, founder, gilder and chaser, he specialized in the creation of clock cases and trimmings whose keyword was exoticism. His stylistic repertoire is nourished by a taste for “elsewhere” (Egyptomania, Anglomania and Etruscomania, for example). His “au Nègre” models, such as “l'Afrique”, “l'Amérique” and “l'allégorie de la Louisiane”, bear witness to his great creativity and expertise. He is also unique in that he manufactures all the body models he offers himself. The renown of his productions spanned the Empire, the Restoration and even the French borders; numerous reprints were made up to the 1840s.

Condition report: very good condition of the original gilding, with very fine burnishing, revised movement, two-year warranty.