Unknown
Literature
Elke Niehüser, "Die Französische Bronzeuhr, Eine Typologie der Figürlichen Darstellungen", 1997, p. 144, illustrating another version of the clock with the addition of a sleeping warrior to the right of the dial, in the Musée François Duesberg, Mons.
A very fine quality Empire patinated gilt bronze figural clock depicting the celebrated model of Atala freeing Chactas, signed on the white enamel dial, à Paris
Paris, date circa 1805
Height 35 cm.
When François-René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) published his epic prose 'Atala' in 1801 it was heralded a sensational success. Napoleon, who was determined to effect a reconciliation between Church and State welcomed the support it gave to his Concordat and in gratitude appointed Chateaubriand his First secretary at the French Embassy in Rome. The public adored 'Atala'. Between 1801 and 1805 eleven editions had been published and translations were published as far a field as Russia and Hungary. Chateaubriand's heroine, Atala inspired all forms of the arts, from ballads, paintings, engravings, wax works and as here clock cases.
Chateaubriand's tragic story told how Chactas, a native Indian had been captured by a party of Muskogees and Seminoles who were going to burn him. He was tied to a tree where Atala, the Chief's daughter came to visit him. She was a Christian and filled with compassion and admiration for the captive she freed him. This part of the story is illustrated in the sculptural case above, with the hunter's weapons beside the clock and his fate, the burning fire surrounding the dial. Once freed they travelled North America setting up home with a missionary. Chactas was strongly influenced by Atala's faith and fell deeply in love. He asked her to marry him and though Atala loved him she could not, since her mother and later Atala herself had vowed that she would never loose her virginity. So rather than live without consummating her love for Chactas she killed herself. Chactas found her dying in a cave. On her deathbed Atala explained why she could not marry him. "To save my life [at birth] my mother made a vow: she promised the Queen of the Angels that to her, if I escaped death, should be consecrated my virginity….Fatal vow which hurries me to the grave!". The narrative is then continued on the plaque below. After Atala died Chactas and the missionary took her to be buried and as they walked a dog appeared.