Lot 287

H. Fish, London, Movement No. 2032, 49 mm, 123 g, circa 1783
A gold pair-cased verge pocket watch with "repoussé" decoration "The presentation in the temple"
Case: outer case - 18k rose gold, "repoussé" case depicting a religious scene. Inner case - 18k rose gold, richly florally engraved, case maker's punch mark "IW" (John Ward). Dial: enamel on gold. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance.
The outer case is signed "H Manly fecit" for Heinrich Mannlich, born in Augsburg and one of the most famous English casemakers.
Paul von Stetten noted at the end of the 18th century 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; this is 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 "The Art of the Gold Chaser" in Figures 48 a-d. The motif is based on an etching by Francois de Poilly (1622-1693), after a painting by Charles Lebrun.