English superb gold verge with repousse scene Circa 1748

Superb gold verge with repousse scene by Henry Manly
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An English superb and rare gold pair cased verge watch with repousse scene by Henry Manly, circa 1748, fire gilt full plate cylinder movement, pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, pillars with fancy scroll sides, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, gold beetle and poker hands, plain inner case with maker’s mark JB for John Bayley or John Beesley, fine outer repoussé case depicting Atalanta and Meleager setting out on the Calydonian Boar hunt, framed within cartouches containing shell, scrollwork and flowers, the bezel similarly decorated, repoussé case signed Manlyfec, movement signed Jno. Elliott, London.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Jno. Ellicott London
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The repoussé scene of this watch is in exceptional condition with a wonderful lustre and depicts the Calydonian boar hunt. In Greek mythology, the King of Calydon offended the goddess Diana who took revenge by sending a giant wild boar to ravage the countryside. Calydon’s son, Meleager, formed a party to kill the boar which included Atalanta, the virgin huntress. Atalanta was the first to strike the boar and when it was finally dead, Meleager (who was in love with Atalanta) presented her with the head and pelt.

Richard Edgcumbe illustrates and describes this watch in the Art of the Gold Chaser, and notes that the scene derives from a work by French engraver Bernard Picart, after François Chauveau.  Manly’s version is indebted to a design seen in the collection of 152 drawings by  Augustin Heckel held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.  Picart’s engraving is itself a direct reproduction of Nicholas Poussin’s 1639 work titled ‘The Hunt of Meleager and Atalanta’.