English gold verge watch with repousse scene Circa 1751

Fine gold pair cased watch with chatelaine
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An English fine gold verge watch with repousse scene by George Michael Moser and gilt metal chatelaine by William Hunt, circa 1751, fire gilt full plate movement, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, plain flat three arm brass balance, baluster pillars, fusee and chain, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute track, blued steel beetle and poker hands.

A gold plain inner case, yellow gold outer case with repoussé scene depicting Odysseus appearing before Nausicaa at her father’s court, a bat with outstretched wings supporting the step beneath the figures, scrolling and floral border, a snake wrapped around the thumb piece, the bezel with similar decorative border, outer shagreen protective case, gilt metal chatelaine the uppermost panel depicting Hercules with his club, with gold embossed plaques depicting Classical figures, a lion and a putto, one chain terminating in an egg shaped vinaigrette, the vinaigrette engraved at the opening J’aime Mon Choix, the engraving heightened with white enamel, chatelaine with maker’s mark WH for William Hunt,  with maker’s mark HR probably for Henry Rawlins, repoussé case signed Moser f, movement signed Wm Webster, Exchange Alley.
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Diameter: 50 mm   length of chatelaine 130 mm
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Signed: Wm Webster London
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This lot depicts the scene of Odysseus and Nausicaa and serves as an example of Moser’s interest in classical history.  Moser was employed by the most highly regarded watchmakers of the time, and his relationship with Webster flourished in the 1760’s and 1770’s. Moser’s signature, as usual, is on the step beneath the figures and his ‘trademark’ snake is present around the push piece. The chatelaine is by William Hunt, a goldsmith and chatelaine maker who is known to have worked with Moser. It is, therefore, very possible that the original owner purchased the chatelaine at the same time as the watch.