Y A French Louis Philippe rosewood mantel clock and wall bracket LeRoy, Paris, circa 1845 The circular countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by half-seconds disc-bob pendulum incorporating silk suspension, the backplate stamped LEROY, A PARIS over number 320 9*2, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial inscribed LE ROY A PARIS to centre and with blued steel moon hands set within concentric band decorated brass surround behind hinged bevel-glazed bezel, the rectangular case with recessed panels to top front and sides each decorated with beaded quarter fillet mouldings and the rear with plain lift-out panel, over generous bead-banded cavetto moulded skirt base inset with conforming panels and with squab feet, the wall bracket contemporary with the clock with ripple-moulded table over serpentine scroll shaped support and inverted onion-shaped pendant back panel, the clock 41.5cm (16.25ins) high; the clock and wall bracket 49.5cm (19.5ins) high overall. The clockmaking firm Leroy can be traced back to 1785 when the business was founded by Basille Charles Le Roy at 60 Galerie de Pierre, Palais Royal, Paris. During the Revolutionary years the firm relocated to 88 Rue de L'Egalite before finally settling at Galerie Montpensier, 13 and 15 Palais Royal. In 1828 Basille Charles died leaving the business to his son, Charles-Louis, who continued producing clocks signed 'Le Roy & Fils' until 1845 when the firm was sold to his former employee Casimir Halley Desfontaines; who in turn was succeeded by his son M. George Halley Desfontaines in 1883. In 1888 M. George Halley died leaving the business to his brother Jules Halley who then took-in as a partner Louis Leroy (apparently no relation to the founders of the firm). In 1899 the firm left Palais Royal and moved to Boulevard de La Madeleine where it continued trading in the hands of various successors until well into the 20th century.