This very interesting watch is almost entirely made of ivory and the panels which decorate the case are a tour de force of small-scale carving. It has been suggested that these panels are perhaps 17th century and their re-use provided the inspiration for the making of this watch. The paper miniatures inside the case are charming and also possibly pre-date the watch. The movement is, apart from the wheel pinions and a small number of other parts, made entirely from ivory and mother of pearl. It is reminiscent, although of better quality, of the wooden watches made by Bronnikov in the mid-19th century. To find a watch of this type from so early a date is very rare. The movement and case can be dated on a technical and stylistic basis to around 1780/90, the dial however shows features of the 1800-10 period. This is perhaps because the watch took many years to make at a time when styles changed rapidly. The Rape of Proserpina Proserpine was the daughter of Ceres, and while picking flowers in a meadow she was observed by Pluto. Suddenly inflamed with love, he swept her away in his chariot. Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, was so saddened by the loss of her daughter that she stopped making plants grow. Eventually a compromise was reached, and Proserpina was allowed to spend six months of the year with her mother, during which time the sun shone and plants grew - these are spring and summer - while spending the other six months, which are cold and dark, with Pluto in the Underworld - and these are autumn and winter.