A nice early London verge in a very attractive painted pair case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Signed (Jno. Shan, LONDON). Good original condition, with the gilding still bright, and running well.

DIAL : 35.75 mm. White enamel dial, in perfect condition. Fine original 18th century gold beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : 42.75 mm, gilt. The case snaps shut nicely and is in good condition with just a little wear to the gilding around the sides and to the stem. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is fine.

OUTER CASE : 51.25 mm, gilt rims on a copper base with back and bezel painted with roses. Excellent condition throughout. The hinge, button and catch are all fine and the case snaps shut nicely. The painting is in fine condition with no wear.

The inside of this case shows no pin holes which would indicate that it was once cover by shell etc., and the inside surface has not been gilded so the case was never a plain gilt case. So it was probably made to have a painted surface but I haven’t seen a similar case to this, and not sure how original the decorated surface is. But a beautiful case.