interesting. thanks for a great photo

john, you are right. It is an interesting piece.

I don't scare easily, I've got kids!

Somehow I don't see the clock face!

This is a very odd and unique picture. Fun one to work. 02/15/08 Friday

Very unusual.

Diane, I zoomed in and I couldn't see the clock face either.

A very different picture. Interesting puzzle.

This is an exquisite piece of goldsmithery, ornate and, as far as I can see, impractical.
Who among us has also been to the Hermitage?

I wish..........
Good puzzle, thanks

That is absolutely gorgeous...but...when I need to know the time, I will stick with my wrist watch.

Enjoyed this puzzle!

I went in 1989. The miniature gold pieces were amazing.

I was there in 1989. The miniature gold pieces were also amazing. We were not allowed to take cameras into the room with miniature gold and Faberge eggs.

Very intricate piece, but I can't see the time either.

Marie, we were there in 2003. I found the place to be absolutely jaw-dropping. Never in my life have I seen such a huge display of exquisite art work in one ornately beautiful building (or set of buildings actually). I marvelled at the skills of the artists and artisans involved and kept asking More...

But think of the craftsmen who were employed.

dorthea, I can't imagine that they were well paid, but yes it offered employment for about 100 years.

I agree with you, Ian. So many of the works of wonder that we see were paid for heavily by those who were considered 'expendable.'

There is a very small clock face near the mushroom centre bottom of the photo. May even be on top of the mushroom, but not easy to see, even when looking at this work of art done about 1780. The movements are operated once or twice a month.

2/26/08

I spotted it. It's under the peacock on the left and facing left. The time appears to be 9:43.