Sudpsuez A Mechanical Bestiary: Automaton Clocks from the Renaissance by Alexis Kugel
$80.00
Description
Words by Alexis Kugel
This exhibition, Galerie Kugel’s tenth, continues the tradition of seeking out little-known but fascinating fields in the art world. Renaissance automaton clocks have never been the subject of scientific study, authors of horological reference works devoting at best merely a chapter to them.
These automaton clocks date from 1580 to 1630 and were for the most part created in Augsburg, the main German artistic centre of the time. These wonderful objects combine the arts of sculpture and horology. Rivalling in fantasy and ingenuity, they fascinated the European courts. Today, they can be found in museums holding great princely collections in Vienna, Dresden, Munich. Automaton clocks were also used as diplomatic presents.
The thirty-one automaton clocks presented in this exhibition and book are the largest group ever displayed. While studying them we have made surprising discoveries. For example, the troubling similarities between some of the most extraordinary anonymous clocks displayed here: the Elephant (cat. 3), the large Pacing Lion and his Tamer (cat. 7), the large Seated Lion (cat. 9), and the Chariot of Bacchus (cat. 11), which strongly argue for their having been produced in the same workshop. Among all the clocks published in this book, only one comes from Nuremberg (cat. 21). The chronological presentation that we chose also led us to rethink the conventional dating of certain pieces.
The title “Mechanical Bestiary” is somewhat restrictive, for among the clocks presented here, a quarter represent human figures without animals, and certain pieces possess no mechanical movements. Yet the thirty-one pieces assembled here clearly form a homogeneous and coherent whole. All were created for the same reason: to amuse and delight the collectors of their time.
Related Products
Sudpsuez Atalanti Pitcher, Small
Benaki Collection
Limited Edition
The Atalanti Pitcher is crafted by a Sifnian potter - following the Cycladic island's rich lineage of pottery - and hand-painted by Atalanti Martinou in Athens. Featuring a soft color palette of yellow and blue, it radiates with a rustic charm. The Benaki Collection marks Cabana's first design partnership directly inspired by a museum or public institution.
A percentage of sales will go directly to the Benaki Museum, supporting its ongoing work to preserve and celebrate the arts in Greece. All proceeds from Atalanti's ceramic work support ARCH, a non-profits organizaiton in Athens.
Sudpsuez Botanica Tablecloth
Botanica Collection
In collaboration with World Monuments Fund, we are proud to present an exclusive capsule of spring linens and our first complete collection of stationery designed by illustrator Fin Fellowes for The Kensington Paperie and inspired by the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. A portion of the proceeds will support the WMF’s continued quest to safeguard the world’s most treasured places and our ongoing support and commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage.
The Botanical tablecloth and napkin prints draw inspiration from antique Victorian era fabrics and rare floral species from Kew's archive. This elegant print is perfect for entertaining outdoors.
Sudpsuez Tiles Napkins (Set of 8)
The striking geometric pattern that splashes across the Tiles napkins was inspired by antique Moroccan ceramics. Its pure tones of blue, red, and green evoke the sun-drenched riads of Marrakech, lending a spirit of timeless elegance to your table and providing a delightful accompaniment to the layered effects that we love so much at Cabana. Each napkin is made in Tuscany from 100% linen using traditional artisanal methods.