The Silver Swan, built by John Joseph Merlin and James Cox, 1773.
Source: Mechanical Marvels, Clockwork Dreams (BBC)
oh wow, the “water” is an illusion created by spinning glass rods.
wooooooooooah
I will reblog this automaton every single time I see it because I adore it and you cannot stop me.
The Silver Swan can be seen at The Bowes Museum in County Durham, England. More about it here.
They still run it, once daily at 2pm. It’s an amazing piece, and I hope to see it one day.