English rare silver verge with automaton scene Circa 1813

Silver verge with painted dial and automaton scene
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An English rare silver pair cased verge watch with polychrome enamel painted dial and automaton scene, circa 1813, gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with trophies of war and a grotesque mask, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, small blued steel disc for rack and pinion regulation index, signed L. Wellington, London.
White enamel dial, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, the dial with polychrome enamel painted scene of a fort and canons beside a sea with two warships both flying the red ensign, the fort’s gate forming an aperture within which soldiers on horseback rotate on a plate attached to the movement.
Plain silver inner and outer case, winding aperture to inner case back, Regency pendant, both cases with maker’s mark TG for Thomas Gibbard.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: L. Wellington London

This handsome pair cased watch has an attractive painted scene with a rare automaton, comprising a revolving disc beyond the doorway in the castle’s wall which simulates ‘redcoats’ riding past. It is interesting to compare this watch with one by John Bowen, also hallmarked for 1813, which is illustrated in The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches. This has an identical arrangement so that marching soldiers may be seen through an open castle doorway. The style of painting is very similar to the present lot and is perhaps by the same hand.