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c.1810 Rare French Ormolu and Patinated Blackamoor Mantle Clock.
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A very rare French blackamoor clock originally inspired by the novel ‘Paul and Virginia’ written in 1788 by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre. The well modeled patinated figures with ormolu dresses and porcelain eyes carry the ormolu platform with Paul and Virginia on their shoulders. Paul and Virginia are accompanied by their dog and are clothed in typical European dress, but with a nod to nature remain barefooted. The blackamoor figures stand upon an ormolu rockwork ground that sits upon a shaped patinated and ormolu base standing on four elaborate bun feet. It has ormolu floral appliqués framing a fan shaped recessed plaque of two figures sailing a boat in a turbulent ocean. Suspended from the platform are vines covered in berries, a jug, a basket of flowers and the clock.