Bohemian snuff box with concealed verge watch Circa 1740

Silver gilt snuff box with watch by Johann Georg Gigel
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A museum like, Bohemian silver gilt snuff box with a concealed verge watch and a dial with a false pendulum, circa 1740. The concealed watch features a gilded movement with a verge escapement, a balance with a mock pendulum between the dial and dial plate, turned baluster pillars, fusée and chain and a backplate decoratively engraved with scrolling foliage and signed by Johann Georg Gigel, Brin. It also includes a silver gilt champlevé dial with Roman numerals and half hour divisions, an outer Arabic minute ring, and a dial bordered by scrolling flowers, foliage, and fantastical birds. Additionally, it has apertures for a mock pendulum, regulation and hand set, as well as a polished banner, signed Brin.
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The silver gilt case is chased and engraved with scenes from the story of Diana and Actaeon on the front and back, with further chasing and engraving on the borders featuring animals such as hunting dogs, a hare, a fox and a pheasant. The lids open to reveal the timepiece on one side and a plain compartment for snuff on the other.
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Dimensions: 91 x 58.5 mm
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Weight: 165 g
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Signed: Johann Georg Gigel, Brin
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The movement is running and appears to be in good condition. The backplate is in good condition with well defined decoration and a signature. The dial has scuffs and scratches throughout and there is wear and loss to the wax infill of the numerals and tracks. The case shows wear to the gilding and rubbing in all of the scenes, with some loss of definition throughout.
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The Gigel (Giegel-Giegl-Girgl) watchmaking family originally came from the Munich area, where they were recorded as Court Watchmakers from 1680 onwards, but were later recorded in cities in the Czech Republic, including Prague and Plzen, and, as can be seen from the signature on the box, probably also in Brno.