A VERY LARGE  FRENCH GILT BRONZE PORTICO CLOCK SIGNED 'HOTEL DE CHOISEUL A PARIS', THE CASE 19TH CENTURY, THE MOVEMENT AND DIAL 18TH CENTURY the case with he dentil cornice over four free standing columns raised on a stepped plinth base with foliate cast ormolu border, the acanthus cast bezel enclosing the white enamelled dial signed 'Hotel de Choiseul A Paris' with Roman numerals, the 18th century twin train movement with flat bottomed plates, previously with silk suspension now with Brocot type suspension, with outside countwheel striking on a bell, with later pendulum, 63cm high x 34cm wide x 22cm deep The inscription on the dial 'Hotel de Choiseul' refers to the Parisian mansion of that name. Originally known as the Hotel de Crozat, it came into the possession of the Duke of Choiseul through his marriage to Louise-Honorine Crozat in 1750. He soon turned it into one of the most lavishly decorated and famous buildings in Paris, housing an important and large art collection. in 1780 the Duke was forced to divide and sell the mansion due to financial difficulties, and so the inscription on the dial presumably dates to before 1780.