Richard Bartholomew Smith's Wunderkammer

Abstract

It stands like an eye-dazzling sentinel in the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, until it performs, as if by magic, on the hour (plate 1). That is, if the mechanisms are working. This bizarre, composite object of horology, technology, and ornamental art remains an iconic example of Victorian popular culture, made to entertain, amaze and instruct in celebration of Australia’s centennial year of British settlement, 1888. The rich gilt details, the lettering, the architectural forms, moving and static figurines, and the painted images and portraits belie the cedar case’s original overall shoddy construction