Late 18thc. polychrome with very unusual bakery scene

A late 18thc. verge watch, with a nicely painted and very unusual polychrome dial showing a workshop or bakery.

MOVEMENT : This is a gilt verge movement, with an engraved and pierced balance cock. Four round pillars, Tompion type regulator and blued steel screws.

All in good condition and running well.

Signed Willm. Lawley, Rugeley and numbered 6773.

DIAL : A very unusual polychrome enamel dial, with two workers (and a cat) in a bakery. One figure is putting bread into the oven while the other attends to the dough bin. There are flour sacks around the bakery, all marked AM and dated 1791.

In excellent condition, with no cracks or repairs and just a few tiny nibbles around the centre hole.

Good steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with hallmarks for London, 1787, maker’s mark AM.

In good condition, though the stem has been reattached. The hinge is fine and the bezel closes though doesn’t snap shut tightly. The high dome crystal is good with just some light scratches.

OUTER CASE : Silver, with matching hallmarks and maker’s mark to the inner. Engraved on the back with a monogram AG (rubbed).

The silver is in good condition. The hinge and catch are fine and the case snaps shut correctly. Just a little wear to the catch button.

William Lawley is listed in Rugeley between 1795 and 1798.

The case maker was probably Angela Marson of Upper Moorfields, London.
It may just be a coincidence that the maker’s mark AM is the same as that marked on the flour sacks on the dial.