400 year old gold skull automaton and clock

This incredible automaton features a beautiful clock underneath the skull cap. Over the course of a few minutes the mandible opens, then snaps shut all of a sudden. The snakes in two eye sockets alternately emerge and retreat. Created in 1610 by Nicolaus Schmidt der Junger, this skull automaton/mechanical clock recently sold for an astounding $135,000.

Here is is a more complete description and several large photographs of the 400 year old gold skull automaton and clock over at the Watchismo Times Blog.

---