THE BOWES MUSEUM, COUNTY DURHAM, HAS RECENTLY TAKEN DELIVERY OF A NEW, COIN OPERATED SILVER SWAN WHICH IT HOPES WILL GENERATE EXTRA FUNDING TOWARDS THE UPKEEP OF THE FRENCH STYLE CHATEAU. BESPOKE FURNITURE MAKERS ANTHONY NIXON, OF BARNARD CASTLE, WERE COMMISSIONED TO PRODUCE THE UNUSUAL DONATIONS BOX AND THEY CERTAINLY GAVE THEIR IMAGINATION FULL REIN IN CREATING THE STUNNING HAND CARVED BIRD FROM OAK. 'WE WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING RELEVANT TO THE MUSEUM, AND WITH A BIT MORE INTEREST THAN YOUR USUAL CONTRIBUTIONS BOX', SAID THE FIRM'S OWNER. 'THE SILVER SWAN, AS THE MUSEUM'S MOST IDENTIFIABLE ARTIFACT, WAS THE OBVIOUS CHOICE.' THE MUSEUM'S ORIGINAL SILVER SWAN WAS ONCE COIN OPERATED, AND MANY VISITORS RECALL PUTTING SIXPENCE, 2½p IN TODAY'S TERMS, IN A SLOT TO OPERATE IT. HOWEVER, THE UNIQUE AUTOMATION IS NOW PLAYED JUST ONCE A DAY TO PRESERVE ITS DELICATE CONDITION. THE NEW SWAN HAS A SLOT WHICH DIRECTS COINS INTO THE HEAD OF THE BIRD, AND WHEN ENOUGH COINS ARE COLLECTED THE SWAN GRACEFULLY DIPS ITS NECK, REMINISCENT OF THE ORIGINAL 230 YEAR OLD AUTOMATION, AND DEPOSITS THE CASH INTO A COLLECTING BOX. THE WOODEN SWAN, WHICH IS PAINTED SILVER, SITS WITHIN A FUMED OAK CASE, WHICH INCORPORATES A STEP TO ALLOW VISITORS TO REACH THE COIN SLOT. THE COMMISSION, WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY NIXON'S COMPANY, TOOK OVER 200 MAN HOURS TO COMPLETE.
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