Lot 426

Robert à Paris, Height 370 mm, circa 1820
A rare "Pendule au Nègre" with moving, pendulum driven head - Freedom fighter Toussaint Louverture smoking a pipe
Case: firegilt, chased and patinated bronze, figure of the freed slave and freedom fighter Toussaint Louverture (1743-1803), smoking a pipe, head with knife edge suspension. Round ebonized mahogany base. Dial: silvered, inlaid radial Roman numerals, signed, engraved centre, Breguet hands. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, gilt, signed, anchor escapement, short pendulum with knife edge suspension.
François-Dominique Toussaint Louverturee (1743-1803)
Toussaint Louverturee was the leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military genius and political acumen transformed an entire society of slaves into the independent state of Haiti. The success of the Haitian Revolution shook the institution of slavery throughout the New World. His nickname was "Napoléon Noir" (Black Napoleon).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toussaint_Louverture, as of 10/04/2015.
Illustrated and descibed in: "The Musical Clock" - Musical & Automaton Clocks & Watches by Arthur WJG Ord-Hume, 1995, p. 190.

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