A Rare and Scarce French Empire Ormolu, patinated bronze, and
Rouge Royal marble miniature Blackamoor table. French, circa:
1800-1805. Measuring: 8" high by 6.4" across.
This table and its
Blackamoor supports were most certainly inspired by
Jean-Simon Deverberie(1764-1824).
Lost wax method of bronze casting. Hand chasing and chiseling of the surface. Original patina present and intact. The ormolu is Mercury gilded with both Matt finish and highly burnished areas of highlight. Gilding is original and in tact.
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Literature:
Jean-Simon Deverberie(1764-1824).
Drawings and art works by Deverberie are in the Bibliotheque
Nationale, Paris. The design of this theme of Blackamoors
reflects the late 18th century interest in 'le bon savage' encouraged
by the idyllic representations of
Bernadin de Saint-Pierre and de Chateaubriand, and the abolition of
slavery by the convention in 1793. The
first of French Clocks and Candelabra of this style appears to have
been 'la negresse' delivered by Furet and
Gaudon to Marie Antionette in 1784. A version of which in the
form of a clock, possibly purchased by the
Prince of Whales in 1790, is included in the current exhibition at the
Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
Interest in 'La bon savage' was maintained throughout the Empire
period despite Napoleon's reintroduction of
slavery in 1802. |
