Automaton clock in the form of Urania, Muse of Astronomy
Urania is a fitting choice for an automaton made in Nuremberg, a city proud of its fifteenth-century astronomical observatory, probably the first in northern Europe. When set to motion, the figure turns her head and lifts her pointer to indicate the correct hour on the revolving sphere. A shaft through the back of the figure transmits power from the movement in the base via a train that moves Urania’s head and right arm. Another train transmits motion to the revolving sphere with the hours.
Credit: Purchase, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Acquisitions Fund, 2015
c. 1620-30
Case: partly gilded and partly silvered brass, copper with traces of silver, ebony, and ebony veneer; movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel
21.0 x 24.1 x 15.9 cm
2015.76
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection