Tiffany&co “le Portefaix” Clock After The Design Of Jean-andré Reiche

Remarkable Empire mantel clock “Le Portefaix” of museum quality in patinated and gilded bronze with a superb box designed by the bronzier Jean-André Reiche. He registered the drawing in January 1808 and the watercolor drawing with the drawing is in the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The novelty of the composition is the freestanding figure, where the clock mechanism is part of the figure, allowing the clock to be seen from all sides. The character carries a large bundle of cotton on his back. Additionally, in his right hand he holds a letter and with his left hand he leans on a cane. Finally, the oval base has an applied decoration of a monkey, swinging between two palm fronds. At the time, several models of clocks on the theme of “Good Savage” were designed, all inspired by the novel Paul and Virginie by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre. This Empire Le Portefaix clock is in an excellent state of conservation with original mercury gilding and matt and shiny details. It is also in perfect working order. The clock comes complete with its pendulum, its key and its bell. Details of the Empire clock “Le Portefaix” designed by Jean-André Reiche and retailed by Tiffany and Co around 1900 Dimensions: height 35 cm, width 28 cm, depth 10 cm. Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817) This box is one of a number created by Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817) who was one of the main Parisian bronziers of the Empire. Like Jean-Simon Deverberie, he became known in particular thanks to his Pendules Au Nègre. The son of a Leipzig merchant, Reiche was baptized on August 13, 1752 in St. Nicole's Church in Leipzig, where his surname was recorded as Reich. Jean-André probably changed his name to conform to French conventions when, like many German cabinetmakers, he settled in Paris where he was received as master foundryman in June 1785. From his workshop on rue Notre-Dame-de -Nazareth, it specialized in the production of clock cases which prospered especially after the suppression of corporations during the French Revolution. This meant that Reiche could now create every aspect of a clock case, employing a team of workers ranging from modelers, foundries and engravers to marble workers. His reputation immediately grew as a merchant-manufacturer of bronzes and above all as a supplier to the Emperor. Upon his death on March 18, 1817, Jean-André Reiche left his business to his son Jean Reiche. Literature Collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, presenting a version of this clock from the collection of the famous collector Raymond Jeanvrot (Bordeaux, 1884-1966). Pierre Kjellberg, “Encyclopedia of the French Clock from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century”, 1997, p. 343. Elke Niehüser, “French bronze clocks”, 1997, p. 149.240. Spanish Royal Collection, “Catálogo de Relojes del Patrimonio Nacional”, 1987, p. 118. Tardy II, p. 358.1.