Gold repoussé watch depicting the Choice of Hercules, by John Ellicott

Pair cased gold watch with outer case in high repoussé. Movement by John Ellicott, London, case signed Manly F and hallmarked 1767 – 1768. Outer case in gold repoussé, the inner case in plain gold. White enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals and gold hands. Cylinder escapement with diamond endstone. Backplate signed ‘Ellicott London 6027’. Dust cap, also signed ‘Ellicott London 6027’.

The outer case, made by the London watch-case chaser, Henry Manly, depicts the classical scene of the Choice of Hercules. Hercules, positioned on the right with his club, is offered the choice between the path of vice or that of virtue, represented by two goddesses on the left hand side. Clockmakers' Museum No. 328.