French verge pocket watch studded with half pearls Circa 1790

Gold enamel open faced pocket watch by Mallet
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An ornamental gold enamel French verge pocket watch studded with half pearls “Venus and Cupid at the Altar of Love”, circa 1790.
The exquisitely painted enamel medallion in the centre of the back cover is of supreme quality. It shows Venus and Eros at the altar of love. Eros’ quiver with his arrows and a pair of doves sit at the feet of Venus. The medallion is framed by a border of translucent green enamel leaves with split pearls.
It has: an 18 carat gold and polychrome enamel case, bezel and back side set with half pearls and case maker’s punch mark “AS”; a white enamel dial with Roman hours, Arabic minutes, keyhole on two and decorative gold hands: a full plate movement, a chain/fusee and a three-arm brass balance. Movement and dial both signed.
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Diameter: 29 mm
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Weight: 45 g
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Signed: Mallet à Paris
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French maker Louis Mallet worked in Paris around 1790 and was eventually appointed maker to the Duke of Orleans, later King Louis Philippe.