Mantel Clock The Orter " Le Portefaix Noir" After J.a.reiche Empire Period

Exotic mantel clock the porter called “black clock or noble savage clock or even negro clocl” in gilded bronze and bronze with black patina from the Empire period.
It represents a carrier who carries on hooks a ball of woven wicker cotton in which the movement is housed. The subject is treated while walking, book in one hand and holding a bamboo wooden cane in the other hand, shiny gold gourd while a pipe is hung on the hat. The holder rests on an oval base decorated with a monkey swinging between two palm  trees fronds and on either side of baskets of fruits from which parrots are pecking. It rests on 4 ball feet.
The bronzes are chiseled and gilded with mercury with the original gilding with a matte and shiny effect. The opposition of the black patina to the gilding accentuates the refinement and elegance of the clock.
The white enamel dial has Roman numerals. The hands are in gilded bronze. The movement has an operating life of 8 days, striking the hours and half-hours.  anchor  escaptment and silk  suspension .
The movement is revised; it works perfectly. The clock is complete with pendulum, gong and two keys.
Height 38cm, width 28 cm, depth 11 cm. Empire period around 1810.

 Noticed :
 The black porter clock would be inspired by the drawing "the porter" by J.A..REICHE filed on January 5, 1808 (see photo). Another anonymous watercolor drawing, the West Indian Savoyard porter, is kept at the Museum of Decorative Arts (see photo). The difference between the two lies in the positioning of the right leg
.

le journal des dames et des modes  du 5 octobre 1807 fait référence à la pendule le Savoyard antillais en qualifiant sa forme de bizarrerie ( voir texte   plus complet  dans "pendules du mobilier national page 215 par Marie France DUPY BAYLEY )

This successful model was taken by aristocratic society in search of exoticism under literary influence. It has always been sought after by enthusiasts and collectors to this day.

Référence :
- French bronze clocks par Elke NIEHUSER page 240,
- Une odyssée en pendules tome II par Jean-Dominique AUGARDE page 444,
- Encyclopédie de la pendule française par P.KJELLBERG page343,
- La pendule française par tardy tome II page 248, 
- livre sur la collection du musée François DUESBERG page 59,
-  pour le dessin de la pendule par de J.A..REICHE  voir page 57 de la revue N° 14 de l'Association Française des Amateurs de l'Horlogerie Ancienne.

Muséum collection :  musée des beaux arts à Prague, musée Saint Omer en France, musée del roloj à Madrid,...)