Mechanical Mouse
The Bowes Museum
This mechanical mouse is the same size and scale as a real mouse. When wound up, it runs around, stops and continues its journey in a way very similar to that of a real mouse. It is essentially a 'fun' item designed to amuse, with materials and techniques very similar to those of jewellery. It was probably made by the Swiss maker Henri Maillardet, an associate of the more famous maker Jacquet Droz of Geneva. He is known to have exhibited in London in 1810-20 with Paul de Philipsthal in the 'Philipsthal and Malliardet Automatical Theatre', which featured a 'Siberian Mouse', an 'Egyptian' Lizard', and an 'Ethiopian Caterpillar'. Exhibitions of their work also took place in New York in 1828 and 1836.
Joséphine Bowes' father was a clock or watchmaker, and this might account for the particular number of clocks, watches and other mechanical items in the collection. It was bought by Joséphine Bowes in London in 12th May 1871 for £22, shortly before John Bowes' birthday. John used to call her 'Puss', and one can imagine his 'puss' presenting him with a gold mouse on his 60th birthday!
