Liechtenstein Museum - Diana on the Stag

Design and production of a presentation video for the series 'Artwork of the Month' at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna. The film takes a closer look at the 'Golden Diana on a Stag', a clockwork drinking vessel crafted by Joachim von Fries which dates back to the 17th century.

"The vessel belongs to a group of devices featuring the goddess Diana which incorporate a clockwork mechanism. This mechanism mobilises the object and sends it careering across the table using controlled movements. Whoever the vessel stopped in front of would have to remove both the stag and Diana from the mechanism and then use the animal's antlers to separate it from the vessel and take a drink. This was relatively easy as long as the stag's belly was full of liquid. But the emptier it got, the greater the danger that the liquid would spill over one's face and clothes – much to the amusement of those present." (Liechtenstein Museum)

JOACHIM FRIES (1579–1620)
Clockwork drinking vessel representing Diana on a stag, 1610/12
Cast in silver, embossed, engraved, partially gold plated and coloured with enamel. Features a fully functioning original clockwork mechanism.