AN INTERESTING BRASS MINIATURE HOUR-STRIKING LANTERN CLOCK WITH ALARMTHE DIAL BEARING A SIGNATURE FOR THOMAS HOWS AND DATE FOR 1620 BUT PROBABLY FRENCH, MID 17th CENTURYThe going train with verge escapement regulated by balance wheel set above the top plate, and the strike train with countwheel and vertically pivoted hammer sounding on the bell mounted within the superstructure, the alarm mechanism positioned to the lower right hand corner of the iron backplate incorporating verge crownwheel and vertically pivoted hammer acting on the hour bell, the dial with rose-engraved Roman numeral chapter alarm disc filling the entire centre of the dial and concealing engraved inscription Tho's Hows, 1620 to plate beneath, within narrow Roman numeral chapter ring with asterisk half hour markers, the frame with one-piece column turned corner posts and high-waisted finials flanking the fine foliate strapwork engraved and pierced front fret and conforming unengraved side frets, the sides with hinged brass doors and the rear with iron backplate beneath bell supported within domes bearer surmounted by a finial, on four integral turned toupe feet.22cm (8.75ins) high, 8.5cm (3.375ins) square.The present lot is referred to in Loomes Brian Clockmakers of Britain 1286-1700 within the entry for Thomas Howse who is listed as baptised in 1608, entered as an apprentice in the Brown Baker'spany 1622/23 and died 1652. Features within the current lot such as the one-piece frame castings (incorporating distinctive high-shouldered finials and 'toupe' feet) and vertically pivoted hammer arbor would strongly suggest that the current clock was made in France, most likely Paris. A miniature French lantern clock with very similar frame castings is illtrated in Tardy LA PENDULE FRANCAIS I're Partie, De l'Horloge Gothique a la Pendule Louis XV on page 86.