An Italian brass chamber clock Lorenzo Riviera, late 17th century The two train weight-driven posted countwheel bell striking movement configured with verge escapement mounted above the top plate and short bob pendulum swinging to the rear, the countwheel cut for Italian six hour striking with each count cut twice in order for the previous hour to be automatically repeated when activated by a second lifting pin positioned soon after the first, the frame with square brass plates united by slender square section column uprights with moulded caps and bases with unusual herringbone engraved and lozenge faceted strike detent arbors pivoted between, the front with rectangular single-sheet brass dial engraved with 4.25 inch Roman numeral chapter ring with quarter divisions to inner track and stylised foliate engraved half hour markers, the centre decorated with a romantic mountain landscape, the upper and lower margins engraved with fine symmetrical foliate scroll strapwork centred with a grotesque mask to top and rococo scroll bordered cartouche signed LORENZO, RIVIERA, FECE at the base, the exterior with domed bell and generous ovoid vase finials above open sides and rear, on turned bun feet, (one finial, hand, escapement and elements of movement lacking, no pendulum or weights), 30cm (11.75ins) high. The current lot appears to be a fairly typical example of an Italian 'lantern' clock dating to the end of the 17th century. The movement is particularly well finished with highly decorative collets and engraved steel strike detent arbors pivoted between the frame posts. The dial is finely engraved with the foliate strapwork being very similar to that found on the backplates of English table clocks of the period. Despite such sophistication in the decorative detail, the movement possesses many relatively 'archaic' features - most notably the hand arbor being fixed securely to the hour wheel, and strike lifting via a nag's head engaging with pairs of pins fitted to the going train greatwheel. These details are more typical of 16th century Gothic practice (and require the trains to be 'run through' to set the time and synchronise the strike) than 17th century Renaissance work, as strike activation had already been greatly improved by the introduction of a starwheel for lifting fitted (along with the hand) via a friction clutch to the hour wheel behind the dial. This refinement allowed the time to be set and adjustment of strike lifting without having to 'run through' the going train, and had been a standard feature on English lantern clocks since the beginning of the 17th century.