Description

A rare late 18^th Century verge automaton depicting the battle of Arcola in silver pair cases.  Full plate gilt fusee movement.  Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with large diamond endstone, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring.  Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator.  White enamel dial, small subsidiary of  Arabic numerals, later blue steel hands. The lower half of the dial in polychrome enamel depicting the battle of Arcola.  Napoleon on the left bearing a flag, riding a black horse onto the bridge followed by his troops.  On the right Croatian and Austrian forces firing cannon.  In the centre of the bridge a semi-circular opening reveals a rotating disc painted with soldiers, cannon and mounted horsemen appearing to march across as the watch runs.  Above the scene the text “Bataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795”.  Well fitted in contemporary English pair cases.