The Restoration of a Emilian Wehrle Trumpeter

The Wehrle trumpeter that was added to the collection a few weeks ago is back to its original Glory!

This weekend I sat down and finished the musical restoration...after 19 hours of work...it has paid off.

The chest was gone through 100%. All the old paper was removed on the bottom, exposing the air channels... they were cleaned and new hand grained paper was added to reseal them tight.

All the valves were stripped and redone with new leathers from Colombia Organ Leathers. These valves include the two in the bellows, the two for the main pressure chamber and well as the 8 pallet valves.

The old gaskets were stripped off and replaced with new leathers.

New skins were also done on the bellows.

One of the 8 Reeds was not firing off properly, with a re-adjustment to the tongue this problem was addressed.

After the chest was complete and reassembled and tested it was placed back on the movement...

I adjusted the lift levers, music wheel position and and the spring tension (springs on bellow tops)

I dont think this clock played any better when it left the factory in Furtwangen, Germany in the 1880's.

I have put together a 4 minute video to better showcase this clock.

I will be adding the 9 pipe flute clock made by Emilian Wehrle we have in the collection in the next few weeks.

Enjoy,

Justin

A Early Black Forest Sorg Augenwender

The last clock that was just posted was a miniature Augenwender, with Jockele movement.

This next piece is even smaller and earlier! This Sorg Augenwender was made in the first half of the 19th C.

The movement in this clock is a “Sorg” just 3.5” high including a 1” bell. If you do not count the bell the movement is 2.5” from top to bottom. It can easily fit into the palm of your hand.

This movement is Time, Strike, Alarm and Automation. The movement is not only a wood plate movement, but it also has wood arbors…and the trains are front to back.

Although unsigned, it patterned after Clocks made by Joseph Sorg. (see previous post of Sorguhr for more info)

The painting of Zinc is of a noble man. The painting is 4.5” wide X 5.5” high. The dial is only 1.75 inches.

Although most Sorguhren were done in the traditional shield style (as can be seen in a clock shown earlier)… Sorg movement were cased in a wide variety of cases.

The movement range from Time only, Time and Alarm, Time and Strike, Time Strike and Alarm… some even have automation as well, as can be seen in this example.

I look forward to sharing other BF miniatures out of the collection in the not to distant future.

Best,

Justin

A Miniature Jockele Augenwender Picture Clock

One of the biggest differences between European and American Black Forest Clock collectors is the understanding/appreciation of the early Black Forest miniatures. In Europe these pieces are highly coveted and pursued. There are many books and information pertaining to not only the clocks, but also their makers.
In the United States little is known, sadly because of this many of these clocks have made there way back to collections and museums in Europe.

This piece is a miniature Augenwender (blinking eye) automaton was made C 1855. As the pendulum swings back and forth, the eyes look left to right. The outside dimensions of the brass frame on this piece is 9 x 9.5. The movement in the case is miniature…and is classified as a Jockele by collectors based on the movements dimensions (3.5 H, 3 W, 1.5 D). The trains on this movement are side to side (Time and Strike). It was made slightly later than most Jockele, and in the “new” style…most Jockele movements have the trains front to back.




The painting of a primitive woman is 5”X 6” and done on zinc. The clock dial is 2” and has an early style set of thick steel hands.

This identical clock was published in Ortenburgers, "Black Forest Clocks" on pg 37 BL. At the time it was published (it was owned by another collector)... there was no designation that it is a miniature... which reiterates my previous comment on the lack of information/interest on BF miniatures in the US. The fact of the matter is you will find 1000 Black Forest Augenwenders to every one Jockele or Sorg Augenwender.






It was also apart of a large display on the Subject of Black Forest Clocks in Pasadena , Ca in 2004. The clocks in the Display were published into a publication titled, "Black Forest Cottage Crafted Clocks 1800-1900" This publication was done in a very limited run and only available at the display.

We have included two scans of the documentation on this rare clock. Notice the quarter on the clock in the publication photo, it shows how small this piece really is!

Most Jockele were made in the traditional style, with a porcelain shield about 5” high… but like their smaller brother the Sorguhr…were made in a wide variety of cases with and without automation.

Jockele made prior to 1860 is much harder to find, as they were made in the “cottage craft“ industry... previous to the large ramp up of mass production and factories that swept through the Black Forest changing the clock industry forever.

C. 1890 Antique 5' Black Forest Hunter Musical Cuckoo Clock

This Clock is one of the largest carved clocks in our collection. At just a touch under 60 inches from the bottom of the carved game bag, to the tip of the stag's antler... this clock commands attention in any room.

While these large carved hunter cuckoo clocks can be found, to find one of this quality, and this early is very difficult. This is NOT a vintage piece! This clock was made in the black forest in the later 1880's... The movement in this piece is just massive. The plates of this robust movement are cast and held together with pins. The cuckoo bird is large and plump and sits on a wood perch. The detail in the carving is unreal... look at the thin carved ropes that hand the pheasent and the hare... no expense was spared on the construction of this BF monster.

The music box in this clock is one of the largest we have ever seen in a Wall cuckoo clock. This massive 5 tune box has a 2" cylinder and the bead platge is just shy of 8"!!!

This clock was in a very high end Black Forest Clock collection in Southern California. We purcahsed the whole collection of 24 clocks, just to obtain this piece.

It currently hangs over the fireplace in our entry of Black Forest USA!

If you have a passion for Black Forest Clocks... we are always interested in meeting other collectors. Feel free to send us an email anytime madeinfurtwangen@yahoo.com

Another Complex Black Forest Automaton

This Knodelfresser or Dumpling Eater C. 1870, is a great example of Black Forest Figurenuhren. Seated on the top of the case, on a grassy hill, is a figure of a man, holding a plate of dumplings. Every fifteen minutes, or on demand… he eats three dumplings.
He is animated in his eyes, mouth, arm, and of course the dumpling that passes into his mouth. Although one of the most common forms of figural automation made in the Black Forest(Dumpling Eater, King Drinker, Magician, Sewing Lady, Knife Sharpener, Shaving Monkey to name a few examples). Today any example is difficult to find.

The way this figure works is quite simple, yet when in action it is nothing short of amazing (There is a link towards the bottom of this page, where you can see him in basic action.):

On the back of the clock movement there is a wood spool. When the automation sequence is activated, this spool makes one revolution.

The wood carved figure seated on the top of the clock is hollow. The "hump" in his back is removed to reveal another spool located inside the figure. This spool is 1/3 the size of the larger spool that is driven off the clock movement. This spool is pinned in different places to controll the eyes, and the mouth. There is also a thin steel wire that extends from the spool. On the end of this wire is a small wood carved "dumpling".

A string is ran taunt through the grooves in both spools...through a passage between the figure and the top of the case. When the large spool on the movement makes one revolution, the small spool in the figure makes three...With each revolution of the small spool in the figure, the dumpling travels out of the plate in his hand and up a small notch in the figures chest. While it apears that the fork is raising the dumpling to the mouth, it is actualy the dumpling that is raising the fork!

As the dumpling aproches the mouth, the eyes roll down to look at the treat...and the mouth opens... the dumpling passes into the mouth, and the arm holding the fork is released and falls back to the plate... The mouth closes and "chews" the dumpling several times with movements to the eyes... (controlled by a set of pins carfuly placed on the spool in the right position).







During this time the spool has rotated and placed the dumpling back to the start place at the bottom opening...and the process repeats itself again. This happens three times in total, as the large wheel on the back of the movement will make on compleate revolution.

It should be noted that in the German language a "knodel" is a dumpling… and to “fress” is to eat… but not in a human way. Dogs “fress” and Pigs “fress”, but people do not. Another way them Germans, once again use there animated clocks to poke fun at other people or cultures.
The Rat eater displayed further down on this site, is a excellent example of this mockery.

This particular clock was displayed in 2004 at the Pasadena NAWCC Regional, in a large display on the subject of Black Forest Clocks. The clocks that were included in this display were featured in a publication produced to document both the display and the clocks. The book is titled " Black Forest Collage Crafted Clocks 1800-1900". We are including a scan of this clock and its documentation. The GLAR committee put together a website documenting the display, which can be viewed along with the autoamation by clicking this link: http://www.nawcc-glar.com/exhibits/2004exhib/16/16.html

For those interested in learing more about Animated Black Forest Clocks:
One of the best books on the subject is , “Figurenuhren aus dem Schwarzwald” by Herbert Juttmann (168 pg). This text covers many of the animated clocks made in the Black Forest. Juttmann not only has color photos on each piece, but has taken the time to break down the clocks into simple drawings, showing how each piece works. This book although published only in German, because of the drawings and simple, charts, it is still a usable asset for all. This book is available from amazon.de as well as the NAWCC lending library (http://www.nawcc.org/).



Best,
Justin

A Unique Cuckoo and Quail

This next piece is a very unique triple fusee shelf clock ,with an exposed cuckoo and quail.

This clock is large at 30” high X 22” wide X 8” deep. The walnut veneered case on this clock is interesting as it was constructed with lots of curves. The motif is eye appealing, with roses and vines below and birds and a nest on top.

Perched on the top of the clock is an oversize cuckoo and quail. These bird are about 2x the girth of a mans thumb and 5.5 inches from beak to tail.

The movement is a Brass plate triple fusee movement at over 9” wide it is made in the highest quality. This movement will run for 8 days.

The plates and gears in this clock are as robust as a Wehrle 8 day triple wind trumpeter movement. This clock was built to last.
Little is known about the history of this piece. Despite being privately held in the same collection for over 20 years until recently.

Still this clock is well recognized by Black Forest Clock enthusiast worldwide.

This is because in 1991 it was published in Rick Ortenburgers book, Black Forest Clocks (The most comprehensive Black Forest book ever published in English). This documentation was done with a full page write up in color (pg 40).

As a side note:
In another collection in the United States there is similar clock.

The case is identical in every way but ½ the size of this piece. The movement is a 50 hr wood plate movement… with an exposed cuckoo only. This other clock without question was made by Johann Baptist Beha.

The maker of this piece, has been identified as Samuel Kammerer of Furtwangen, due to several distinct features on the movement. He was also responsible for making the large three train brass movements used in Emilian Wehrle's musical clocks.

The size of this clock is truly deceiving. I have included a photo of the clock being held... to show the size of this piece.

Also it should be noted we are not aware of another shelf cuckoo anywhere with both an exposed cuckoo and quail.

If anyone has any information on another we would love to hear from you.

Best,

Justin

A Beha and an Influential Piece of Black Forest Horology

Next up in the collection is a very early, and special shelf clock with automation made by Johann Baptist Beha in 1849.
First off we would like to thank Dr. Wilhelm Schneider of Germany for his assistance in researching this piece. Dr. Schneider ,besides being the authority on the Beha factory… is also a accomplished author and a good friend.

This early Beha was made in late 1849, and sold January 1850 to Mr. Spiengelhalder a dealer from Neukirch for 19 Gulden along with one other identical piece. This is the only know surviving piece currently known out of the two. The Spiengelhalder family operated a retail store out of London during that time. As a side not worth mentioning...Johann Baptist set up his shop in Eisenbach in 1845, this clock was made within the first 4 years of the start of his business.)

The case on this piece was made by Peter Wehrle a case maker in Dittishausen. Peter Wehrle apprenticed in Vienna…building cases for fine Vienna Regulators. This explains why this case is very refined compared with many Black Forest clocks made during the period. It also closly resembles a fine Viennese shelf clock. The case is made from the finest veneers and brass inlay… the proportions also show Peter Wehrle had a well trained eye. Peter Wehrle’s early relationship helped Johann Baptist Beha secure his name and reputation as a quality BF clock maker.
The backboard on this case is hinged at the bottom, and has a locking mechanism at the top of the back board. This was done by Peter Wehrle prior to 1854.

The movement on this clock is an early woodplate 8 day double fusee movement…if you look at the stop wheel on the back of the movement (see pic)… it is a very primitive/experimental style… This movement predated Johann Baptist Behas integration of the fusee and cuckoo (one of Behas many innovations)… and a movement that would become the staple in his quality clocks in later years.

In the Beha books, Johann Baptist Beha talks about experimenting with the 8 day fusee movement…but first incorporating blinking eyes. This is one of those pieces.

Above the dial in a small gilt frame, behind glass is a small 1.75 X 3.25 painting on zinc. In the painting a dog has cornered a rodent. The eye on both animals (no larger than the end of a pin head needle) move back and forth with the pendulum.

Rarley did the Beha factory ever mark their clocks, and to find a Beha factory lable is considered unique.

The last detail on this piece that makes the package so sweet… is a clear signature “Johann Beha in Eisenbach” done by his own hand.

Since this clock was made within the first few years of Johann Baptist Beha's clock making career, and the importiance this piece played in the early development of the 8 day fusee movement, the documentation in the Beha books regarding this piece being one of the first, and the Signiture... it is safe to say that this clock was made not only by the Beha factory, but by the hand of Johann Baptist Beha himself.

We are very excited to be able to share this important piece of Beha history.

Best,
Justin

A True Joseph Sorg "Sorguhr"

Measuring in at only 3.25 inches from the bottom of the movement to the top of the bell, this clock is the smallest in the collection.
This miniature that can easily fit into the palm of your hand is called a “Sorguhr”.
This term refers to miniature clocks patterned after those made by their inventor Joseph Sorg of Neustadt (1807-1872).
Joseph Sorg was not only a important clock maker during the first half of the 19th C., but also severed as the Mayor of Neustadt during the early 1850’s.
The styles of Sorguhren produced was varied. They were made in picture frame style cases..many with hammered brass frames (with or without automation), Biedermeier cases, and the more common shield style with wood or brass faces. There are also known examples cased in miniature granfather style cases no more than 20" high.

The example shown here is in the most traditional style. The round enamel dial…with the hammered brass crest. This example shows an eagle representing war… grasping arrows.

While we own several Sorguren in the collection (and will share them in future posts) this one is special.

This Sorg was made and signed by the inventor himself we have owned nearly a dozen Sorguhren over the years…and all are very collectible, but this is the only example we have owned that has been a true Sorg.

Joseph Sorg, although the inventor was responsible for just a very small fraction of all the Sorguhren produced. A Sorg that is made Joseph Sorg himself , is of no comparison in rarity or value to other unsigned examples. …as well as other examples signed by the many other makers of miniature clocks that followed his lead.

The example in our collection was made by Jospeh Sorg, in Neustadt C. 1850. This example has wood arbors, and is rope drive. The movement has both the time as well as the alarm functions.
The movement measures 2.5 High (without bell) 3.25 inc. Bell 1.75 Wide 1.25 Deep
The clock is signed on the small gear that is located the front of the movement . “J. Sorg” (see pic).
We look forward to sharing other examples of Early BF miniatures in the future.
Best,




Justin

The King Of Carved Wehrle Trumpeters

This next clock is one of the favorite in our collection. It is a shelf Trumpeter Clock by Emilian Wehrle C. 1880. This clock is 44” high and 31” wide at the base and weighs over 70 pounds. The clock has the large triple wind (Time strike and music) movement (The largest Wehrle made). The clock runs for 8 days. On the hour or demand a pair of trumpeter figures appear through the carved doors…and this clock plays the William Tell Overture on 8 horns.



The carvings on this clock are done in solid walnut. There is no veneers or linden in sight…even the box used to construct the case is solid walnut. This clock is carved from head to toe… if fact there is not a single inch on this case that is not fully carved.

The top of the Roof is carved in a shingle pattern, very similar to a fine Beha shelf cuckoo…Even the underside of the roof is carved in shingles (we have not seen this done before !) The box of the case is carved all the way around to look like a tree… the sides of the case from base to roof, as well as the whole front.The large side doors are carved oak leaves and acorns to create a silk backed lattice for the music to fill the room… even the latches that lock these doors shut are carved from walnut!

The base of the clock wraps around the case to cover both sides solid. On many Wehrles the clock is put up on carved legs… but this example is different.



Rocks, trees, leaves as well as flowers cover the bottom sides… there is a one piece tree at the back intergrated into the base on both sides that has “grown” all the way to the roof line of the case… with leaves and vines pushing out in both directions… this gives the case a very nice 3-D effect against the wall.The front carvings on the clock peak for themselves.


The two pheasants are done very well… with the large spread wing eagle …just a fraction of a second from swooping down to pick up his lunch. The dial on this clock does not dissapoint… The dial, bezel and cartouches are carved from a single piece with abundant detail… the full dial center is carved out leaving small bunches of flowers no larger than the tip of your smallest finger…No expense was spared in the creation of this piece.



We have consulted with several Wehrle experts, and it is clear this was a custom carved clock…for someone that clearly loved carving... and had money to purcahse the finer things of life.

While we are aware of other beautiful Wehrle trumpeters a few inches larger… or with more massive carvings in front… it is the details on this piece (Case, Roof , Sidedoors etc. etc. etc.) that set it apart from all others.




We are confident that this is the most detailed carved Wehrle trumpeter that has been located as of today... but we would love to be shown otherwise!!!

We are offering a spot on our Blog to the owner of any other Wehele trumpeter that can take this title!

We are activly looking for the #33 Scheffel-Uhr (Wehrles top of the line arcitectual clock) to complement this piece in the collection.

Until then...we are happy to have the "King of Carved Wehrle's".

Best,


Justin

Beha Shelf Cuckoo With Carl Heine Oil Painting

This Beha cuckoo was made C. 1870 in Eisenbach, Schwarzwald. The typical wood plate 8 day double fusee movement is housed in a beautiful round top elongated walnut case. The case is intricately done with fruit wood inlays of oak leaves and acorns both on the base and well at the top. The cuckoo door is also inlaid with flowers and leaves. What makes this Beha special is it is a Shelf cuckoo with a full oil painting on zinc or tin. While Beha frequently used paintings on his cuckoo clocks, this was rarely done on the shelf or table examples...and they are seldom found. The painting on the clock is well done. It shows a mother and child on the ground..quietly looking up into the tree at the cuckoo up in the branches. The mother pointing to the cuckoo. This painting was painted by the well known Black Forest painter Carl Heine, of Neustadt (1842-1882). Carl Heine's work almost always includes the tree with the bending trunk, and cuckoo up in the branches. The subjects eyes always gaze up at the bird... and frequently pointing to the bird... as on this clock. The book IN DIE NEUE ZEIT (which covers clocks and influential people from the Titisee/Neustadt region in the Black Forest) has several pages devoted to Carl Heine... his life, his work, and many of his paintings.

Black Forest Figurenuhren & The Rat Eater

This next piece has only been in our collection for a very short time... but carries with it Provenance, that goes back to the collection of the late Charles Terwilliger in the 1960's... and many publications throughout the past half century. It is one of our favorites and quite possibly one of the rarest in the collection. In fact is currently the only known example worldwide. While mechanically identical to a dumpling eater or Knodelfresser (also in the collection), like most things the small details and variations make all the difference.

We call it the Rat Eater.



Seated on top of the clock is a carved and painted wood figure of a French soldier. In his arms he holds a plate of Rats. Every 5 minutes or on demand he "eats" 3 rodents!

There is automation to the eyes, mouth, arm holding the fork, as well as rat that is passed through his mouth and chewed.



To fully appreciate this piece we recommend watching the video we have loaded for your viewing pleasure.



It should be noted that the Germans frequently used automa to mock other cultures. This can be seen in many different pieces (Turks, Indians, Russians), and nothing can dispute the long tension between Germans and the French... and what can be more insulting than eating rats!


While research is still underway on this piece, it is believed that the figure is actually a Napoleon Soldier, possibly Napoleon Bonaparte himself... there are several documented cases in history where he encountered plagues of rats. And during sieges it was common for his soldiers to eat them to stay alive.



On the top of the figures hat is a gilt crowned eagle a common symbol used in the Napoleon Era in France. Although this clock was made C 1870 years after the Napoleon era... the Franco-Prussian war in the 1870's may have rekindled some of the previous passions (and there are also several documented cases were people were forced to eat rats. during the Franco-Prussian war...see scan of Rat peddler painted in 1870)


Below I will post several photos and scans of information and documents on the subject that were posted on the NAWCC message board in early 2009 discussing this piece.

This very special clock has been documented in Books and publications (3) during the past 30 years (Most notable is Black Forest Clocks by Rick Ortenburger) ...and also displayed in a National Convention in 1986 dedicated to Black Forest Clocks.

I hope you enjoy this piece.

Black Forest Automa "Schnappuhr"

“The most curious branch of art is, without exception, the manufacturers of automation clocks and the ingenuity of the Germans has produced some wonderful mechanical clocks.” As quoted in “The Watchmaker and Jeweler” June 1875 issue.

Truly a work of art, this early Black Forest shield automaton brings smiles to faces both young and old.

This clock has survived the years well and remains in original untouched condition... complete with original paint, pendulum and side doors.

This piece has a wood plate, wood arbor movement.

The trains of the movement are positioned front to back. This movement is driven by Ropes, and predates the use of chains.


As the pendulum swings back and forth, they eyes look left to right, constantly scanning the room...as it has done for almost 200 years.

The clock strikes the hours and half hour on a bell located on the top of the movement.

The figures mouth opens and snaps shut with every blow.

This is a great example of early 19C Black Forest Automa.

Emilian Wehrle Rooster Clock

This next clock in the collection is a Emilian Wehrle Rooster clock. Also known as a "Hahnen-Uhr" in German. The Wehrle Rooster awakes on the hour, or on demand...with three loud distinct calls. Cock-A-Doodle-Do!!!

While Emilian Wehrle was not the inventor of the Rooster clock... he was the first to perfect it. He created a apparatus that mimics the call of the Rooster without horns or air. Instead Wehrle used a serrated wheel that rides a small reed. This friction in variable pressures and speeds created a correct Rooster call.

He was issued a patent in 1884 for his design (Apparat Fur Schallerzeugung #32141). Production started shortly after this date. Because of their high cost, and the loud and obnoxious call of the Rooster every hour they were not an immediate success.

By Emilian Wehrles death in 1896 very few were made, and fewer have survived.

The Rooster clock is one of the Rarest clocks ever produced by Wehrle. We are honored to have one in our collection.

The example shown here is a 8 day shelf clock in a wonderful walnut case with matching bracket. This clock was retailed by Camerer, Kuss & Co. in England.
Because of the awful noise it produces every hour, we do not regularly run this piece... but we are happy to have it in the collection.



Best,

Justin

Emilian Wehrle Singing Bird Clock

This next Clock in the collection is a C. 1874 Singing Bird Clock (Singvogeluhr) made by Emilian Wehrle of Furtwangen.
The fully feathered bird is 6.5 inches from beak to tail. It is fully automated in his beak, head, and tail. Perched on the top of the clock on a carved vase of fruit and leaves it is clearly visible and looks alive.

The carvings on this clock are all done in Walnut, and the style of the case is very unique.

This clock utilizes a robust brass plate movement, with large double pumping bellow system mounted above the clock works (very similar to his Trumpeter and Flute Clocks.)

The clock movement generates it own air pressure... and by opening and closing a valve... air in moved through a large flute with a plunger.

A cam wheel on the back operates the valve and the plunger to reproduce the sound of the song bird... while controlling the bird and the Automation. The Beak runs in perfect sequence with the large song bird looks and sounds alive!

This clock is featured in Emilian Wehrles 1874 Catalog as No. 1 (see illustration). It has a cost of 180 Marks in 1874. Just to put this into perspective a very nice Beha cuckoo could be had for 25 marks.




Very few of these Singing Bird Clocks were made, even fewer survived. Making them almost impossible to locate today.

I am not aware of a museum worldwide that has a example of a Em. Wehrle Singing Bird Clock, although there are a few in private collections.

This unique clock was also published in the 2008 edition of Schwarzwalduhren, by Berthold Schaaf (The authoritative text on Black Forest Clocks, and available through amazon.de and all German Booksellers)