299. 299W Directoire period gilt bronze and patinated bronze 'A l'Afrique' clock by Ridel, Paris, the case by Jean-Simon Deverberie A fine and rare late 18th century French gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock Ridel, Paris. The case by Jean-Simon Deverberie. The case surmounted by the seated female allegorical figure of Africa with enamel eyes, gilt headband and jewellery, her pierced ears with pearl earrings and wearing a wide belt over a feather skirt, a quiver of arrows over her shoulder, a bow and arrow in her hands. To her right sits a collared lioness and at her feet is a tortoise, all raised on a shaped bow-fronted plinth with applied foliate swags and a cherub frieze, on gilt toupie feet. The signed 4.25 inch Roman and Arabic enamel dial with matching pierced gilt hands in a gilt bezel. The twin train circular movement with silk suspension and outside countwheel (with star-shaped crossings) striking on a bell. 42cms (16.5in) This model and associated clocks are discussed in Kjellberg's 'Encyclopedié de la Pendule Française', Les Editions de L'amateur, 1997, pages 342-359. Elke Niehauser devotes a chapter to them in her book 'French Bronze Clocks', Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1999, pages 140-161. See also H. Ottomeyer/P. Proschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, 1986, p.381. This model, after a design by Deverberie is part of a broader fashion for the 'exotic' made popular in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Other models by him include 'America' and 'Embracing Indians'. Similar examples can be seen in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris and the Musee Duesberg in Mons.