Silver Swan, Mechanical automaton at Bowes Museum, England
The Silver Swan measures 80 centimeters in height and sits on a base representing a pond with small moving silver fish beneath glass rods.
London jeweler James Cox and inventor Joseph Merlin engineered this mechanical marvel in 1773, combining intricate clockwork mechanisms with silver craftsmanship.
Mark Twain documented his observations of the Silver Swan at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition, noting the mechanical bird's movements.
The automaton performs a 32-second sequence at the Bowes Museum, where it moves its neck, catches fish, and activates its musical mechanism.
The internal mechanisms contain brass components while the exterior features pure silver, demonstrating precision engineering from the 18th century.
Inception: 1773
Creator: James Cox
GPS coordinates: 54.54190,-1.91528
Latest update: March 4, 2025 11:59
Bowes Museum
30 m
Market Cross
547 m
Church of St Mary
502 m
War Memorial to South West of Bowes Museum
145 m
Barnard Castle War Memorial to South East of Bowes Museum
119 m
Bowling Club Pavilion Approximately 70 Metres To East Of Bowes Museum
93 m
Hopper Tomb Approximately 2 Metres South Of Church Of St Mary
518 m
The Vicarage And Glebe Cottage
245 m
The Old Well
577 m
14 (Left Part), Market Place
570 m
24, The Bank
555 m
Basin To South Of Bowes Museum
54 m
Walls Around Spring Lodge Garden
226 m
Garden Walls To East Of Numbers 64 And 66, Spring Grove Garden Walls To Spring Grove, Newgate
236 m
Walls To The Vicarage And Glebe Cottage
229 m
Barn And Attached Wall At Spring Lodge
147 m
Former Stable, Outbuildings And Walls To The Vicarage And Glebe Cottage
254 m
Hayloft And Dovecote Approximately 40 Metres East Of Spring Lodge With Sheds, Kennels And Wall
161 m
41, Newgate
319 m
South Boundary Wall To Grounds Of Bowes Museum And Church Of St Mary
202 m
Blagraves
567 m
Entrance gates and lodges to Bowes Museum
118 m
Terrace Walls And Steps, And Heraldic Beasts, To South Of Bowes Museum
27 m
2 And 4, Market Place
563 m
60, Newgate
280 m
31, Galgate
601 m
Stables And Coach House Approximately 10 Metres East Of Spring Lodge With Walls And Outhouse
161 m
34, The Bank
571 mReviews
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