The two hundred and thirty year old Silver Swan is probably the best know and best loved object in The Bowes Museum. It still delights audiences of all ages with its elegant performance.

The Silver Swan is a product of the late 18th century, a time of enterprise and invention when highly creative minds could flourish. James Cox, a London businessman and silversmith, and John Joseph Merlin, an inventor and engineer, found for their creation and audience eager to be entertained by ingenious novelties.

First exhibited in Cox’s museum, the Swan was intended to thrill and to charm. The museum was famed for its glittering and intriguing examples of clockwork automata and its sliver trinkets and ‘toys’. None was more celebrated than the Silver Swan which then, as now, was marveled at for its sheer beauty and indulgence.

Throughout its history, the Silver Swan has been an object of admiration and wonder. The quality of the workmanship and its remarkably realistic movements have enthralled viewers, while the complex mechanism continues to amaze even the mot knowledgeable and experienced specialists.*

Sadly, due to refurbishment The Silver Swan was not performing on the day of our visit.

*from an information board next to the Swan