French pedestal clock carcase made of oak, veneered in tulipwood, purplewood and mahogany with gilt bronze mounts. On the case the mounts consist of scrolls and swags of drapery supported by two patinated bronze putti. Below the dial is a seated patinated bronze female figure holding a mirror with a bagged filled with coin at her side (perhaps Danaë?), and above a patinated bronze putto blows a trumpet (now missing). The tapering pedestal is mounted with gilt bronze female masks below a projecting rim. The edges are decorated with foliate scrolls and a chain of imbricated discs extend to the base which is decorated in the centre with a mask. The pedestal is supported on four lion paw feet.

The case is stamped by François Duhamel (1723-1801), maître in 1750 but this does not correspond with the likely earlier manufacturing date of the case, which is c.1735-40. It may be that Duhamel stamped the case when the clock passed through his hands, either as a dealer or repairer. The case is likely to have been made by the German émigré cabinet-maker Jean-Pierre Latz (1691-1754). A clock case veneered in Boulle marquetry with similar gilt bronze mounts on the pedestal, stamped by Latz, was bought for Frederick Augustus II 'The Strong' (1696-1763), Elector of Saxony & King of Poland from Latz in Paris and has remained in Dresden since its purchase (Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, Inv. Nr. 37680-1 & 37627-2).

The original movement was by Jean-Baptiste Farine (d.1777). Vulliamy number 903. Described in the Clock Book as 'A pull up Long Clock in an old French case ... For the King'. Bill made and dated Dec 31 1825. The clock now has a replacement face and movement installed by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy; the painted dial shows, on the outer chapter, the days of the month, next the months of the year and 5 minute intervals in Arabic numerals and the hours in Roman numerals; within the dial at XII is a lunar aperture. The eight day rack striking movement is weight-driven with Huygens endless rope maintaining power and dead beat escapement.

The clock can be seen at the foot of Grand Staircase, Carlton House, in a watercolour by Charles WIld of c. 1818, published in W. H. Pyne's History fo the Royal Residences, 1819 (see RCIN 922173). When The Prince Regent acquired this clock in 1816, the rococo style had been long replaced by the clear geometry and archaeologically inspired style of Neo-Classicism, a tyle which very much informed the design of Carlton House. The Prince either appreciated its unfashionable style or disregarded it in his enthusiasm for possessing great French works of art, especially those with the suggestion of previous French royal ownership.

Included in the Pictorial Inventory of 1827-33 – RCIN 934764. The inventory was originally created as a record of the clocks, vases, candelabra and other miscellaneous items from Carlton House, as well as selected items from the stores at Buckingham House, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace for consideration in the refurbishment of Windsor Castle.