Silver swan ready for 'worldwide spotlight'

THE last time The Bowes Museum’s silver swan was taken apart in 2008, the job took three months.
However, the expert tasked with the epic undertaking this week has just three days.
Matthew Read began dismantling the swan on Monday, before the mechanical marvel is moved to London.
In total, the team has just ten days to pick it apart, drive it down the A1 motorway and get it up and running again in time for the launch of the Science Museum show Robots.
The North East icon is leaving The Bowes Museum for the first time. The extraordinary artefact will be the prime exhibit at the London exhibition and thousands of people are expected to watch in wonder at the swan’s 40-second performance.
But first is the exceedingly intricate job of taking part the swan, which dates from 1773 and has 700 parts. At the time of its creation, the swan was one of many automatons that were shipped to the Far East but it is now the sole surviving example of its kind.
Mr Read, a programme leader in the conservation of clocks at West Dean College in Sussex, said: “I don’t normally get emotionally involved with projects but because of what the swan means and greatteam at the museum, it’s a very emotional journey.
“For the people of Barnard Castle and the surrounding area, taking the swan away will be an anxious time. But I’m sure they are also proud.
“It’s going to get the international recognition that it has always deserved and it will be in the world’s media spotlight.
“For the first six weeks, it’s going to be the prime exhibit of the exhibition. There are going to be huge crowds.”
The swan was bought in 1872 by the museum founders, John and Joséphine Bowes, who paid 5,000 francs for it.
They had earlier seen it at the Paris Exhibition of 1867, where it was also viewed by American author Mark Twain, who later described it in his novel The Innocents Abroad. It’s now probably the best-known and best-loved object at the museum.
The life-size clockwork automaton imitates the behaviour of a real swan. Clockwork motors control the music, the glass rods and the head, neck and fish movements.
When the swan is wound up, it twists back and forth and then dips down to catch a fish. Mr Read took apart the swan in 2008 in full view of the public to help conserve it – a job that will stand him in good stead.
He said: “Any one of the 700 parts can come loose or break, particularly the glass. It’s incredibly fragile. We need to see what parts are mostly likely to be damaged so we can mitigate against that.”
Some parts will be removed in “sub-units” while others, such as the 141 twisted glass rods that act as the river, will be photographed and packaged individually. The swan’s neck will be removed in its entirety.
“It’s is the first time this is being done really. Even though it’s going in a special conservation lorry, it’s still driving down a bumpy motorway. It’s a privilege to be involved,” said Mr Read, who will be helped by a student expert. It is believed the swan was not originally sent to the Far East because of trade difficulties. Mr Read said: “At the time, there was a relatively big industry in making these in London.
“If someone wanted to commission another, it’s about 15 years of work. It was vastly expensive when it was made and it’s incredible that the swan holds the position of being the best example that there is.”
The Robots exhibition is being touted as “an unparalleled opportunity to see this extraordinary artefact for those who cannot easily get to Barnard Castle, Durham”.
However, the metal bird will be flying the nest once again so it can return to its home in Barnard Castle for Easter.