Antique Bronze Lantern Clock by Gottifredo Casati

A 17th-century bronze lantern-style wall clock, signed by the clockmaker Gottifredo Casati. The clock features a mechanical weight-driven movement visible through the openwork frame. The circular metal dial is finely engraved with allegorical motifs and zodiac symbols, and features an hour ring marked with Roman numerals, where the number four is represented as IIII. A single hour hand made of openwork brass with a lily motif indicates the hour. A plaque affixed to the base of the dial clearly bears the inscription “GOTTIFREDO CASATI.” The numbers 66 are engraved at the top of the dial. The structure is surmounted by a large external bell for striking the hour, supported by a cross-braced frame with knob-shaped ends. The wall-mounting bracket features circular support elements integrated into the rear frame. Two original iron chains are present for suspending the weights.