This unusual and early table clock is a fine example of a 17th century timepiece, fitted with an unusual six-hour “Italian time” dial and striking mechanism. The dial features touch knobs allowing to read the time in the dark. Each hour is struck by a hammer on a gong in the base.
The full plate gilt brass movement with barrel, verge escapement and chain for the going train, a fixed barrel for the striking.
The square gilt brass case with oval glazed openings to all sides, a hinged base housing the bell, on four disk feet with legs, top and base are engraved with floral motifs.
During the so-called Italian time in use in Italy from the 13th to the 18th century, the day didn’t start at midnight but after the evening Ave Maria, about half an hour after sunset. Each day began when the sun went down while the 24th and last hour of the day ended at sunset of the following day, all in accordance with a venerable biblical tradition.

The single hand of the six-hour clock does four full laps around the dial to cover all 24 hours of the day, and so each number marker had to stand for four different numbers. While such clocks were being used in Italy the rest of Europe was dividing the hours of the equinox into two groups of 12, with the days starting from midnight. In Italy, this time keeping manner was known as “oltremontana”, or “French” or “German” time, referring to the fact that it was practiced by people “beyond the mountains”, on the other side of the Alps.

Towards the end of the 18th century, in the areas of Italy occupied by Napoleon, French Time was officially imposed as the standard.