A Directoire mantel clock, a so-called pendule ‘Au bon Sauvage’, signed on the enamel dial J.S. Deverberie Cgnie Rue des Fossé de Temple No 47, c. 1790. The ormolu and patinated bronze case features a female figure beside a palm seated upon the clock drum, symbolising America, portrayed by a negress with a gilt headdress and an alligator at her feet. The enamel dial has Arabic hour divisions, typical of the Directoire period. The movement of eight-day duration has anchor escapement, silk thread suspension, striking on the hour and half hour on a single bell, with outside count wheel. • Height: 49 cm. • The maker, Jean-Simon Deverberie, was established in rue Barbette in Paris. At the end of the 18th century he introduced this type of clock, called l’Americaine, which was copied by many other clockmakers and formed part of a tradition of depicting the unspoilt savage, corresponding to Rousseau’s philosophy.