CA0341 Rare Directoire period 'Paul et Virginie' Au Bon Sauvage mantel clock

Rare, fine quality, late 18th / early 19th century French Directoire period 'Au Bon Sauvage' patinated and gilt bronze ormolu clock based on the popular romantic novel 'Paul et Virginie' by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre. Set in Mauritius and published in 1788, the novel was inspired by the widely read writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Revolutionary France. Surmounted by a dark patinated bronze depiction of the amourous couple, Paul et Virginie, with classical caryatid form native figures on each end and very fine ormolu mounts depicting scenes from the novel. Early eight day silk suspension movement simply signed 'à Paris' which was widely used during the Revolution and Directoire periods. France, circa 1800.

H 45cm x W 34cm x D 13.5cm