A gold, gilt-metal and enamel watch and chatelaine, London, circa 1775-1780, the watch by Francis Perigal and the enamels attributed to William Hopkins Craft

the quarter repeating pair cased verge watch with gilt full plate verge movement, pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond endstone, striking on a bell, the inner case pierced with scrollwork and engraved with flowers and a mask, chatelaine Cap signed and movement signed: Fra Perigal, London No 125564, case with incuse maker's mark crowned SG, the outer case, gilt-metal lined, with en grisaille enamel scenes, attributed to William Hopkins Craft, depicting Eurydice killed by a snake, Orpheus at her side, with elaborate blue and white enamel borders, suspended from a matching chatelaine with four grisaille enamel medallions, including 'Tuccia, a Vestal, carrying water in a sieve' above two profiles and an urn taken from classical gems, complete with three fob seals, each with engraved hardstone matrix, and the enamelled watch key, metal-backed, in the original black fishskin case

movement currently not functioning, hinge of inner case damaged and restored, slight enamel damage to outer case (on the urn behind Orpheus, left of case), otherwise fine enamel paintings. The casemaker's mark is that of Stephen Goujon (SG incuse, a gudgeon fish swimming above), first entered in 1720
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

William Hopkins Craft (1731-1811) was active in London as an enameller between 1765 and 1805, enrolling in the Royal Academy Schools in 1774 and exhibiting his enamels regularly at the Royal Academy shows. His earliest works were fashionable neo-classical chocolate camaïeu medallions with subjects taken from engraved antique gems. In 1777, Craft exhibited a frame of two enamels ‘from the antique’, the first depicting ‘Tuccia, a Vestal, carrying water in a sieve’, the subject shown on the topmost panel of the present chatelaine, and the second titled ‘a sacrifice’. A watch and chatelaine, with similar enamel subjects, as well as camaïeu portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte, by William Hopkins Craft, London, 1777, was purchased by Sir James Napier in 1779 and is now in the British Museum, museum number 1979, 0101.1. The top medallion of the Napier watch depicts a sacrifice, possibly the companion subject to Tuccia.

Of Huguenot origin, Francis Perigal (also Perrigal), son of Francis Perigal (active 1741-1770) was apprenticed to his father in 1748 and became master in 1756. He worked in the family business on 9 Threadneedle street, Royal Exchange, from about 1770 to the time of his death in 1794. He was admitted as honorary freeman of the Clockmakers' Company in 1781. A maker of fine and interesting watches, he was appointed Watchmaker to the King in 1784. Little is known of Perigal, but the few surviving watches bearing his name are of considerable mechanical interest and of fine quality.