Silver Swan Adventure
The Bowes Museum
For one of our most recent projects, we were asked by The Bowes Museum in County Durham to transport their magnificent 18th Century mechanical Silver Swan to London for a ground-breaking exhibition.
In January 2017, our technicians Ricky Holmes and Karl Wood (above, left) transported the rare swan to the spectacular ‘Robots’ exhibition at the Science Museum, where it was to go on temporary display.
This was the first time the swan had been moved since arriving at The Bowes Museum 125 years ago, so it was crucial we worked alongside the conservators to take the utmost care and attention in moving each piece.
Due to the distinctive and rare nature of the move, True North Productions were excited to be given the opportunity to document this journey for the BBC.
After the initial stage of dismantling and packing each piece into specially lined crates, they filmed our technicians and museum team transporting the delicate swan and display case onto our vehicle. Once we were satisfied the crates were securely fastened, True North followed our drivers as they embarked on the long journey to London.
In late March, it was time for our technicians to deliver the majestic swan back home, where once again it took centre stage in the museum’s treasured collection.
Read more about this fascinating story, here
Images: Claire Collinson Photography