French verge with mock pendulum and cryptic erotic scene Circa 1710

Leather-covered silver verge in pair cases by Étienne Boisson
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A fine French silver and leather pair-cased verge pocket watch with mock pendulum and concealed cryptic erotic scene, circa 1710. Full plate movement, verge escapement, chain and fusee, brass balance. Silver champlevé dial with Roman hours and Arabic five-minute numerals, decorated with chased and engraved foliage, the centre also with mascarons. The outer case is covered with black leather with stud decoration, a silver inner case. When opening the case, the movement folds over, then an amusing erotic polychrome enamel scene is visible on the back plate of the movement depicting a beautiful young woman holding a mouse by the tail and offering to swap with her pet cat, who in turn holds an object the young lady ardently desires, the words troquon minon (loosely translated as exchange is no robbery) are written above. Dial signed.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 122 g
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Signed: Etienne Boisson
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This piece was originally part of the Sandberg Collection and was sold at an Antiquorum auction in 2001.