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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Paris, France · 1764–1824

Jean-Simon Deverberie

Partially verified

Bronze artist, designer, and dealer of clocks and furniture

Life & work

Jean-Simon Deverberie was a prominent bronze artist and dealer who operated in Paris throughout his career.

He successfully registered thirteen of his designs on January 12, 1799, which are now held at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. From 1812 to 1824, he operated his firm under the name Deverberie & Compagnie. Deverberie was noted for his work with the noble savage theme, often drawing inspiration from contemporary literature like Robinson Crusoe.

His legacy is such that he has been referred to by some as the Michelangelo of his genre.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • He is credited as the first artist to utilize the noble savage motif for clock housings.

Documented works

  • His clocks are housed in prestigious collections, including the Musée des Arts Décoratifs François Duesberg and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Key models

L'Afrique
This clock design, also known as Au Nègre, featured the noble savage theme prevalent in his work.
Triumphwagen der Liebe
This Empire style mantle clock model was produced by his workshop circa 1810.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

No firm, model or movement in this encyclopedia is yet recorded under this maker's name.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Jean-Simon Deverberie. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Deverberie, Jean-Simon, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.