English gold pair cased repoussé verge pocket watch Circa 1783

Gold verge watch in pair cases by H. Fish
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An English 18 carat rose gold pair cased verge pocket watch with repoussé decoration, The Presentation in the Temple, circa 1783. Full plate movement with a verge escapement, chain and fusee and three arm steel balance.
A white enamel dial. The pierced, repoussé outer case with a religious scene on the back and a richly, florally engraved inner case with case maker’s punch mark IW for John Ward.
Movement and dust cap signed and numbered, the outer case signed H Manly fecit.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Weight: 123 g
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Signed: H. Fish London
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‘H Manly fecit’ is the signature of Heinrich Mannlich. Mannlich was born in Augsburg and one of the most famous English casemakers.

At the end of the 18th century, Paul von Stetten noted that Heinrich Mannlich “…had been in great favour with King George of England and was commissioned to make for him many beautiful works, which brought exceptional acclaim”.

The magnificent outer case shows the presentation of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, an early episode in the life of Jesus, describing his official induction into Judaism which is celebrated by many Christian Churches on the holiday of Candlemas. An almost identical outer case is illustrated and described in figures 48 a-d of “The Art of the Gold Chaser” . The motif is based on an etching by Francois de Poilly (1622-1693), after a painting by Charles Le Brun.