Few miracles of science and technology reach our time in its original form. Most often we see either fragments of one grandiose creation, once created, or a restored and reduced copy-layout. However, there are exceptional things that have managed to maintain their originality to the present day and hardly change. Such amazing items include the unusual antique Peacock watch. They have been stored in the Hermitage for more than two centuries and continue to delight visitors to the museum with their appearance, and most interestingly, with a working mechanism. We will tell about this incredible masterpiece further.
How did the Peacock watch come about?
Such an unusual watch for a layman was created in the recent 18th century in England. According to preliminary information, they were made to order by the famous watchmaker James Cox, famous for his fine jewelry work with mechanisms. At the same time, the true purpose of this masterpiece raises a number of questions. So, according to one version, Prince Potemkin was the secret customer of the master. This once favorite of Empress Catherine II decided at one point to please her lady of the heart with a non-standard gift. By the way, the empress was known for her love for all kinds of mechanisms and outlandish handmade things.
At that time, things did not go well with the watchmaker. Therefore, he tried to fulfill the order from the Russian influential gentleman as soon as possible. According to another version, the Peacock watch (in the Hermitage, the story of the origin of the curiosity is also presented to museum visitors in several variations) was ordered by a wealthy nobleman-collector.
This creative accessory was supposed to be a wonderful gift for the customer’s wife. However, the names of these individuals for some reason are not disclosed or have been forgotten.
Hermitage (St. Petersburg): the Peacock watch, how it was created (version one)
The process of creating watches also causes a number of controversial issues. In particular, there are several versions of the origin of "Peacock". For example, according to one version, it was created on the basis of the existing Dublin Lottery machine, which already contained a finished peacock figure.
New characters were added to the resulting composition: an owl and a rooster. In addition, a clockwork was mounted in this outlandish accessory . At the same time, his dial was gracefully moved to the cap of an artificial mushroom. When the “Peacock” clock works in the Hermitage, all the cogs and gears begin to spin, the figures start to dance, and the dial shows real time.
The second version of creating watches
According to another version, when creating a watch, the master relied on the experience and knowledge of another well-known German specialist - Frederick Jüri, who lived in London at that time. By the way, there is an assumption that Frederick himself made a machine gun. In particular, after assembling the watch, the letter J was marked on one of the parts. It is believed that this was how Jury signed the howls.
The third version of the creation of the exhibit
According to the third version, initially all three birds were parts of completely different compositions. That is, presumably all the main figures present in the watch were parts of completely different accessories. And only at the request of the customer they were assembled together. And this is how the modern “Peacock” watch turned out. The Hermitage (the photo of the museum hall where the exposition is located can be seen below) gladly accepted and hosted this wonderful exhibit.
In support of this version, experts point to the use of different coinage techniques in which the figures are made, as well as various materials. In addition, each of the figures has an individual mechanism independent of the others. It is also worth paying attention to the rooster, which does not cover the paws of the trunk, and simply stands. Presumably, this figure was previously on a flat plane and was attached separately.
What figures does the composition consist of?
The Peacock clock has been in the Hermitage since 1797. They amaze with their capabilities, design and size. This unique masterpiece is made of gilded copper. A special pedestal is placed in the center of the exposition, in the role of which is a stump with branches and leaves extending from it. On it, as on a throne, is a peacock, presented in full size.
It is said that earlier the feathers of this bird were colorful, but over time they were made golden. Its body is covered with a special varnish that gives shine, and the tail is effectively painted in golden emerald shades. On the other side of the stump is an owl suspended in a figure cage.
It is made of pure silver. A large branch is located on the opposite side of the makeshift tree, where the rooster is important. The place where the stump has firmly settled down is presented in the form of a strange glade on which mushrooms grow, leaves lie and insects dutifully sit.
Also around the stump you can see a grove where smaller animals, such as squirrels, hid. There you can see frogs, lizards, snakes and snails. We will talk further about how the Peacock watch works in the Hermitage, when it is started and how often.
The principle of operation of mechanisms
If we talk about the technical side of a huge accessory, then it is worth mentioning the presence of four autonomous mechanisms in it. One of them is not far from the jingle bells. He is responsible for beating watches and quarters. The other three are set in motion thanks to the moving figures of the birds standing inside the composition. Moreover, part of the mechanisms is hidden under them, and the other is located directly in the legs and stomach of the birds.
The clock mechanism, as we have already said, is placed under the hat of one of the largest mushrooms. It has two rotating dials at once: one of them contains Arabic numerals and is “engaged” in counting minutes, and the second is Roman and shows the clock.
During the movement of the dials, a small fixed pointer performs the function of a reference point for the convenience of reference. A dragonfly can also be seen on the mushroom cap. This is a second hand. These are amazing Peacock watches in the Hermitage. Their working hours are determined by the watchmaker and representatives of the museum. But we will talk about this later.
All mechanisms are interconnected by a special system of levers that allows you to run the figures in a certain sequence.
Watch collection on cogs and tongues
Interestingly, the clock arrived in Russia in a disassembled state. According to some reports, they were brought in five or six baskets, where the details were. One of the Russian inventors, Ivan Petrovich Kulibin, volunteered to assemble this unusual "designer".
During the assembly process, the master found out that a large number of parts are missing. Many of them disappeared, broke or were lost during transportation. However, these difficulties could not stop the Russian inventor. He not only did not abandon his attempts to assemble an amazingly beautiful composition, but also recreated it almost in its original form. This is the famous Peacock watch. In the Hermitage, when they are turned on, a real show takes place. Hundreds of people gather here in anticipation of an unforgettable beauty of action.
It’s just that the work was complicated by the fact that the master never managed to open the peacock’s building. Later, he found a feather on the bird’s body that differs from the rest in size and color. When pressed, a special secret mechanism worked, and the figure opened.
After the "opening" of the peacock, the master noticed the dangling and ringing broken mechanisms that interfere with the full operation of the entire machine. After a while, all the details were restored, and the Peacock clock appeared in the Hermitage.
Existing device recovery issues
Recovery is a very painstaking and laborious job. It took the Russian master several years to restore the “Peacock”. And although the work was carried out a lot, the craftsman did not succeed in completely recreating the principle of the apparatus. In particular, he was not able to restore the work of the owl.
Previously, when the watch started, the owl's head moved, and others heard a very beautiful melody. Now the figure is moving, but instead of music, you can hear the sound of randomly moving bells. In addition to Kulibin, other experts, including those of foreign origin, tried to return the music to the owl. That's just the results of such attempts so far have not brought. Now presented is this unique Peacock watch in the Hermitage.
Exposition of watches in the Hermitage
Every Wednesday at 13 o’clock in the pavilion hall of the Hermitage begins an incredible show, which many people come to watch. The watchmaker opens a huge transparent cage, enters it. Then he starts the watch itself, as if reviving all the gilded and silver figures on the site.
Now you know in what hall of the Hermitage the Peacock clock is located and you can personally see and listen to them.
What do the characters chosen for the watch mean?
They say that all the characters and figures present in the "Peacock" are not chosen by chance. As it turned out, each of the characters has a certain meaning. So, according to many experts, an automaton is a kind of interpretation of a reduced model of the Universe.
His task is to count the time according to the movement of celestial bodies. Moreover, each of them is associated with a specific bird in the watch. For example, a peacock is a symbol of the sun. Most often, it is associated with immortality, warmth and light. His open and then closed tail symbolizes the change of day and night.
An owl is a centuries-old meaning of silence and wisdom. She was always a messenger of the night and at the same time a messenger of fate. In watches, this majestic bird is represented in silver, since it is this material that may well be associated with moonlight or the silver month.
The rooster is a symbol associated with the early morning and sunrise. Some peoples associated it with a symbol of the birth of life, the appearance of pure light and the victory of good over evil. In this case, the triumph of morning light occurs over the darkness of the night.
The watch itself reminds us of the transience of time, symbolizes the continuation and rebirth of life, the endless struggle of good and evil.
Clock sequence
And although it’s better to look at these amazing watches with your own eyes, we’ll try to recreate the whole principle of how such an extraordinary composition works. So, right after the plant, an owl comes to life. Her head and the cell itself, in which she sits, begin to rotate. At the same time, there is a ringing of bells attached to the thin twigs of an owl's house. As if to the beat of the music, the bird begins to blink actively and even lightly tap its paws.
After a minute and a half, the peacock presents his solo. He gracefully opens the fan-tail, then begins to bow, move his neck, open his beak and throw his head back. The field of these unpretentious "pas" the bird turns its back to the audience, clearly demonstrating its brilliant plumage, stops for a while, then again takes its former position and collects the tail.
The baton goes to the rooster. He shakes his head, cranes his neck and publishes his cherished "ku-ka-re-ku." And again, all the birds and heroes freeze in order to resume their unique dance and conquer the entire Hermitage again in a few minutes. The “Peacock” gold watch is an unusual exhibit endowed with some special mystery and even magic. Listening to him and looking at him is sheer pleasure and joy.