Silver swan automaton.

This is my second favorite work of ark on the planet. 2 years ago she was restored due to a faulty head and other issues. The intricacies of this moving piece of pure silver, craftsmanship, and clockworks, that would make a swiss watchmaker go insane, are beyond any one person. 

 This magnificent piece of art is housed at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle in Teesdale, England.

 She is only turned on once a day at 2pm for her 40 seconds of precision glory.

 The museum is represented by her symbol on its logo. Due to the fact the benefactor, Bowes, purchased her in 1872  

The mechanism was designed by John Joseph Merlin (1735-1803) and the first recorded owner of the swan wasJames Cox*.*this is directly from Wikipedia

 The swan preens itself and looks toward the water  before bending her neck and catching a fish in her beak as they "swim" by in silver strands beneath her.

Every feather, every minute detail is hand crafted to replicate a real swan. Everything articulates.
Truly Amazing!
Meow for now,
Catraven =^..^=