Watch "Peacock" in the Hermitage: photo, history, time of work. In which hall of the Hermitage are the watches "Peacock" and when they are planted?

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-mock-up. However, there are exceptional things that managed to preserve their primordiality to the present day and practically remain unchanged. Such unusual items include unusual antique watches "Peacock". In the Hermitage they have been stored for more than two centuries and continue to please visitors of the museum with their appearance, and what is most interesting, the working mechanism. We will tell about this incredible masterpiece further.

How did the Peacock clock appear?

Such unusual for the average man watches were created in the near 18th century in England. According to preliminary information, they were made under the order of the well-known 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 of the versions, the secret customer of the master was Prince Potemkin. This once favorite of the Empress Catherine II at one point decided to please his lady of the heart with a non-standard gift. By the way, the empress was known for her love for various kinds of mechanisms and outlandish hand-made things.

At that time, the watchmaker's business was not going well. Therefore, the order from the Russian influential gentleman, he tried to fulfill as soon as possible. According to another version, the watch "Peacock" (in the Hermitage a story about the origin of the curiosity is also presented to museum visitors in several variations) was ordered by a wealthy collector nobleman.

This creative accessory was to be a wonderful gift for the customer's spouse. However, the names of these individuals for unknown reasons were not disclosed or were forgotten.

The Hermitage (St. Petersburg): The Peacock clock, how they were created (version one)

The very process of creating watches also causes a number of controversial points. In particular, there are several versions of the origin of the "Peacock". For example, according to one version, it was created on the basis of the existing machine of the Dublin lottery, which already contained a ready-made figure of a peacock.

In the resulting composition were added and new characters: an owl and a cock. In addition, this clock accessory was mounted clockwork. At the same time, his dial was gracefully moved to the hat of an artificial fungus. When the "Peacock" clock works in the Hermitage, all the cogs and gears begin to spin, the figures start dancing, and the dial shows real time.

The second version of creation of hours

According to another version, when creating the watch, the master relied on the experience and knowledge of another well-known German specialist - Frederick Jüri, who was living in London at the time. By the way, there is a suggestion that Frederic himself made an automaton. In particular, after the clock was assembled, the letter J was marked on one of the parts. It is believed that this is how Jury signed the papers.

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 clock were parts of completely different accessories. And only at the request of the customer they were collected together. So the modern clock "Peacock" turned out. The Hermitage (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 techniques of embossing, in which the figures are made, as well as various materials. In addition, each of the figures has an individual mechanism that does not depend on others. Also worth paying attention to the cock, which does not cover the paws of the trunk, and just stands. Presumably, this figure was previously on a flat plane and was attached separately.

What are the elements of the composition?

The "Peacock" clock in the Hermitage is from 1797. They amaze with their capabilities, design and dimensions. This unique masterpiece is made of gilded copper. In the center of the exposition there is a special pedestal, in the role of which stands a stump with branches and leaves leaving it. On it, as on the throne, sat a peacock, presented in full size.

They say that earlier the feathers of this bird were colored, but over time they were made golden. His body is covered with a special lacquer, giving a shine, and the tail is effectively painted in golden-emerald shades. On the other side of the stump is an owl suspended in a cage.

It is made of pure silver. On the opposite side of the improvised tree there is a large branch where the cock is important. The place where the stump is firmly entrenched is represented in the form of a strange glade on which mushrooms grow, leaves lie and obediently sit insects.

Also around the stump you can see a grove where smaller animals hide, for example, squirrels. There you can see frogs, lizards, snakes and snails. About how the watch "Peacock" works in the Hermitage, when they are planted and how often, we will talk further.

Principle of operation of mechanisms

If we talk about the technical side of the huge accessory, it is worth mentioning the presence in it of four autonomous mechanisms. One of them is located near the ringing bells. He is responsible for fighting hours and quarters. The other three are set in motion by the moving figures of the birds standing inside the composition. And some of the mechanisms are hidden under them, and the other is located directly in the legs and abdomen of birds.

The clock mechanism, as we have already said, is placed under the hat of one of the largest mushrooms. It has two revolving dials at once: one of them contains Arabic numerals and "deals" with counting minutes, and the second one with Roman ones and shows the clock.

During the movement of the dials, a small fixed index acts as a reference point for the convenience of counting. On the mushroom cap, you can also see a dragonfly. It's a second hand. Here are such an amazing watch "Peacock" in the Hermitage. The time of their work is determined by the watchmaker and representatives of the museum. But we'll talk about this later.

All mechanisms are interconnected by a special system of levers, which allows you to run the figures in a certain sequence.

Collect watches on cogs and piles

It is interesting that the clock arrived in Russia in disassembled condition. According to some information, they were brought in five or six baskets, where the details were. Ivan Petrovich Kulibin, one of the Russian inventors, was called to collect this unusual "designer".

In the process of assembling the master found out that a lot of parts are missing. Many of them disappeared, broke or were lost during transportation. However, these difficulties could not stop the Russian inventor. Not only did he not abandon his attempts to compose an amazingly beautiful composition, but he also recreated it almost in its original form. This is the famous watch "Peacock". In the Hermitage, when they start them, there is a real show. Hundreds of people gather here in anticipation of an unforgettable beauty.

But only the work was complicated by the fact that the master never managed to open the body of the peacock. Later, he found a feather on the bird's body, different from the others in size and color. When you clicked on it, a special secret mechanism worked and the figure opened.

After the "opening" of the peacock, the master noticed dangling and tinkling broken mechanisms that interfered with the full operation of the whole machine. After a while all the details were restored, and the "Peacock" clock appeared in the Hermitage.

Existing problems with device recovery

Recovery is a very laborious and laborious work. The Russian master took several years to restore the "Peacock". And although the work was great, it was not possible to completely reconstruct the principle of the apparatus from the national craftsman. In particular, he failed to restore the work of the owl.

Earlier, when the clock started, the head of the owl moved, and others heard a very beautiful melody. Now the movement of the figure occurs, but instead of music you can hear the sound of chaotically moving bells. In addition to Kulibin, they tried to return the soviet music and other experts, including foreign ones. Here are just the results of such attempts have not yet brought. Now these unique peacock watches are presented in the Hermitage.

Exposition of the clock in the Hermitage

Every Wednesday at 13 o'clock in the pavilion hall of the Hermitage begins an incredible show, which is seen by a lot of people. The watchmaker opens a huge transparent cage, goes into it. Then he winds the clock, as if reviving all the gilded and silver figures on the court.

Now you know in which hall of the Hermitage there are watches "Peacock" and personally you can see and hear them.

What do the characters chosen for the watch mean?

They say that all the characters and figures that are present in the "Peacock" are not chosen by chance. As it turned out, each of the heroes has a certain value. So, according to many experts, the automaton is some kind of interpretation of the reduced model of the universe.

His task is to count the time according to the motion of heavenly bodies. In this case, each of them is associated with a certain bird in the clock. For example, a peacock is a symbol of the sun. Most often it is associated with immortality, warmth and light. His own open, and then closed tail symbolizes the change of day and night.

Owl is the centuries-old meaning of silence and wisdom. She was always the messenger of the night and also the messenger of fate. In the hours this majestic bird is represented in silver, as this material may well be associated with moonlight or a silver month.

A rooster is a symbol associated with the early morning and sunrise. Some nations associated it with the symbol of the birth of life, the appearance of pure light and the victory of good over evil. In this case, there is a triumph of morning light over the darkness of the night.

The clock itself reminds us of the transience of time, symbolize the continuation and revival of life, the endless struggle between good and evil.

Sequence of actions during work hours

And although it is better to look at these amazing watches first hand, we will try to recreate the whole principle of the work of such an unusual composition. So, right after the plant, the owl comes to life. Her head and the cage in which she sits begin to spin. At the same time, there is a ringing of bells, attached to the thin twigs of the owl house. As if in time with the music, the bird begins to actively blink and even tap lightly with its paws.

After a minute and a half he presents his solo peacock. He gracefully opens the fan-tail, then begins to bow, move his neck, open his beak and toss his head back. The field of these unpretentious "na" birds unfolds to the spectators with their backs, visually demonstrating their brilliant feathering, stops for a while, then again assumes its former position and collects the tail.

The baton passes to the rooster. He shakes his head, stretches his neck and publishes his cherished "ku-ka-re-ku." And again all the birds and heroes freeze, in a few minutes to resume their unique dance and again conquer the entire Hermitage. The gold watch "Peacock" is an unusual exhibit, endowed with some special mystery and even magic. Listening to him and looking at him are all pleasure and joy.