A French relief sculpted pietra dura hardstone panel mounted gilt brass mantel clock Retailed by Howell James and Company, London and Paris, third quarter of the 19th century The circular eight-day two train bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum incorporating Brocot type regulation to suspension, the backplate stamped with JAPY FRERES & CIE, MED. D'HONNEUR roundel over numbers 3, 4 4, the rectangular black marble dial panel with gilt Roman numerals and inscribed HOWELL JAMES & Co., TO THE QUEEN, LONDON PARIS to centre, with gilt spade hands and decorated with relief sculpted fruiting vines to upper quadrants and lower margin, the case modelled loosely in the 17th century German Renaissance style with concave capped disc finial to the elaborate bulbous cupola over moulded platform and conforming corner finials to superstructure, with cavetto cornice above dial and conforming raised fruiting vine and cherry decorated side panels with slender bulbous knopped pilasters to the canted angles between, on complex moulded skirt base with bun feet, 33cm (13ins) high. The firm of silversmiths, jewellers and retailers of objet d'art Howell, James and Company was founded in 1819 by James Howell and Isaac James. The company had premises at 5, 7 and 9 Regent Street and was noted for the variety and quality of its stock. In 1838 James left the business and the partnership then became known as Howell James & Co. By 1865 the firm employed over 140 women, most of whom lived above the shop. The business exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition as well as others in London and Paris throughout the latter half of the 19th century. In 1881 the premises was reconstructed, three years later they became a limited company and continued to trade from Regent Street, London until 1911.