The Elephant Clock

The Elephant Clock: Leaf from the Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, Detached folio from an illustrated manuscript, 715 A.H. / A.D. 1315; Mamluk Abu'l Izz Isma'il al-Jazari, Author; Farkh ibn `Abd al-Latif, Copyist Attributed to Probably Syria Ink, colors, and gold on paper; H. 11 13/16 in. (30 cm), W. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956 (57.51.23) www.metmuseum.org

This is a leaf from "The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices." It depicts a clock that was fully automated and included a bell that sounded every half hour. Notice the fanciful bird perched atop the roof.

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