Roman Emperor. The highly prestigious prince electors of the Holy Roman Empire decided who would be enthroned as the Holy Roman Emperor. Finally the ship would make noises and smoke as the cannons fired and trumpets blared. It was fancied that the Mechanical Galleon "might have enlivened the dullest imperial banquets by racing along the table, guns blazing and trumpets blowing". The complexity of this nef meant that Hans Schlottheim had to include three separate clockwork mechanisms. One conventionally powered the chiming clock, but also provided the power for the seven revolving electors. The music, including the drum, was powered by another motor and the third gave the ship movement. The mechanism was said to require rewinding every 24 hours. One of Schlottheim's other masterpieces was a clock which at the twelfth hour presented a mechanical nativity scene. Joseph rocked Jesus' cradle followed by the approach of the Three Kings and the shepherds. The Madonna then bowed to welcome them. At this point angels moved up and down whilst God was revealed giving a benediction. This clock is thought to have been lost during World War II. Condition In 2010, the Mechanical Galleon no longer functions. The drumskin that was used to drum as it rolled is no longer present, and the original wheels have been replaced with ball-shaped feet. The British Museum notes that the eight figures on deck are not the originals but casts taken from one original figure. However they also mention that they may have one of the figures, but are unsure as to whether it is from this nef. It is known that the figures on deck would have held drums and trumpets. Provenance Octavius Morgan made a number of generous donations to the British Museum including this automaton in 1866. Historically, it is believed to be an artefact mentioned in an inventory of the Grünes Gewölbe treasury of Augustus, Elector of Saxony of Dresden in 1585. It had been thought to have been owned by Rudolf II. The inventory records "A gilded ship, skilfully made, with a quarter and full hour striking clock, which is to be wound every 24 hours. Above with three masts, in the crows' nests of which the sailors revolve and strike the quarters and hours with hammers on the bells. Inside, the Holy Roman Emperor sits on the Imperial throne, and in front of him pass the seven electors