Mantel clock with musical movement 1779 - 1789

Crafted by Jean-Baptiste-André Furet, this mantel clock presents a dark-skinned woman atop a musical mechanism, a striking figure adorned with gilded garments and feathers. The bust, a symbol of exoticism popular in the 18th century, is reminiscent of similar figures found in Renaissance paintings, where dark-skinned individuals often appeared as attendants or allegorical figures. These representations carry complex cultural associations, reflecting both fascination and the era’s social hierarchies. Note also the cherubs; their playful presence recalls ancient Roman depictions of Cupid, yet here they frame the concept of time with garlands of flowers and musical gestures. The psychological weight of such images is profound. They engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, stirring emotions tied to collective memory. This potent symbolism has resurfaced time and again, evolving from antiquity through the Renaissance and into the decorative arts of 18th-century France.