210 - A rare polychrome earthenware clock featuring the “LE FUMEUR” automaton. It depicts a Caribbean man richly dressed in a polychrome costume embellished with golden florets. The movable head is inlaid with glass eyes. The dial, set on the broad abdomen, is white enamel with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. It is signed “Houdin Paris.” It rests on a circular scagliole base with small spinning-top-shaped feet. The pipe is signed by the Scouflaire Manufactory in Onnaing. First half of the 19th century. H. 60 cm. D. 26 cm. (restorations; minor chips)

A rare polychrome earthenware clock featuring the “LE FUMEUR” automaton. It depicts a Caribbean man richly dressed in a polychrome costume embellished with golden florets. The movable head is inlaid with glass eyes. The dial, set on the broad abdomen, is white enamel with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. It is signed “Houdin Paris.” It rests on a circular scagliole base with small spinning-top-shaped feet. The pipe is signed by the Scouflaire Manufactory in Onnaing. First half of the 19th century. H. 60 cm. D. 26 cm. (restorations; minor chips) Jacques-François HOUDIN (1783–1860), a clockmaker whose signature appearing on our clock corresponds to his tenure from 1804 to 1840 at the Palais du Tribunat (Palais-Royal), Galerie de Pierre. In 1821, Pierre Scouflaire founded the famous eponymous clay pipe factory in Onnaing, near Valenciennes, in the Nord region. This model is the only known example in this version. The figure depicted is believed to be Toussaint Louverture in Empire-era attire. The other versions are in gilded bronze, the creation of which is traditionally attributed to Thomire. Few models have been cataloged to date. One of them is now part of the collections of the F. Duesberg Museum in Mons. Another similar clock, smaller in size and mounted on a mahogany base, is held in the Royal Collections of Spain. Finally, a third is part of the Colonna Walewski collections.