Another Rare Beha #119

The case style of this Beha is done in a very traditional “Postman’s Alarm” style. But clearly it is not your normal Black Forest postman's alarm. A life size 12” cuckoo bird is perched on top of a oak branch that extends out of the top of the dial. This cuckoo is fully automated on the full and ½ hours.

This cuckoo strikes on a large grapefruit size bronze bell with a silvered hammer, a very unique touch to the cuckoo call that sounds more like a English tall case strike than anything out of the Black Forest.

The highly polished pendulum, has alternating steel and brass rods, giving it a look of a compensation pendulum as ones used on fine precision clocks.

The movement in this clock is a large wood plate cuckoo movement, two train. The strike and the cuckoo are on the same train like most cuckoo clocks. (see an earlier post for our other “Maxi” Beha cuckoo with a unique striking system). Obviously this movement does not have the cuckoo perch mechanics as a cuckoo is not pushed out of a door… but has a large additional arm that lifts a wire that activates the bird with the call.

The pipes on this cuckoo are large and round, not square but are turned on a lathe. They create a cuckoo call that is so real. This same style of pipes are also on our other Beha cuckoo with life size bird that can be viewed in an earlier post.

This clock has a night shut off so the strike and cuckoo can be silenced at night… this can be activated by pulling the silvered knob that extends out of the bottom of the case.

On the back Board is a fantastic Beha Label. Above the label is No 119 hand written. We have a scan of a early and rare Beha catalog that shows this clock. (Thank you to Dr. Schneider once again for his assistance with the documentation on this clock)

We know of another similar example that is in a collection in Germany. This other example is also a #119 but done in a walnut case (ours is Oak). This other example is documented in the Book, “Auf Der Hohe” on pg 137. This example was presented at the wedding of Johann Baptist Behas daughter, Leopoldine Beha and Andreas Nobs in 1887.

The dial is lettered AN LB to commemorate the bride and groom and their special occasion.

While our example is not the “wedding clock” it is the same model, and a very difficult Beha to locate. (In fact it is the only #119 we have ever seen come to the market)

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.

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

Johann Baptist Beha Cuckoo With Life Size Bird

Johann Baptist Beha was one of the most influential...and now famous clock makers to have ever lived in the Black Forest. Today his clocks are prized among collectors and museums . Johann Baptist Beha was a quality clock maker in Eisenbach, Germany ...during the mid to later part of the 19th C. His clocks were made of the highest quality, and were expensive. While other clocks makers would cut quality in order to compete based on price in a more competitive global market... Beha never gave in. He continued to produce a quality clock, and sold them to people who could afford them.

This piece is a very special Beha cuckoo, and one of only a small handful known like it worldwide.
The quality and detail of the carving on this piece is nothing but the best, typical of Beha. The vines are very delicately done. They wrap over and under each other with amazing detail...two small birds sit on the sides of the clock look alive... but that is not what makes this clock so special.
This clock has a life size cuckoo perched on the top of the clock... He is 12" from beak to tail, and fully automated!

You can see on this piece there is no cuckoo door.The movement in this clock is also unique. It is a three train movement. Time, Strike, and Cuckoo. While other cuckoo clocks blend the cuckoo call and the strike (cuckoo-bong, cuckoo-bong) the separation of trains allows this clock to strike the hour... pause then call the hour with the cuckoo.

This piece will also strike the half and full hour, but the cuckoo only calls the full hour.

If you look at the side view of the clock you can see that there is a large grapefruit size bell located on the top of the clock. This large bell creates a very loud distinct strike.

Last but not least the pipes used in this cuckoo clock are not square, but round. Turned on a lathe these cuckoo pipes produce a very real call.

This Beha has been documented in several horological publications over the years. Its most notable publication is the 2008 Edition of Schwarzwalduhren, by Berthold Schaaf. This is the most authoritative text on Black Forest Clocks.The book is available through any German book seller or Amazon.de

Johann Baptist was not only a quality maker, but a pioneer in Black Forest Horology these unique innovations can be seen in this very special Beha timepiece.

Best,

Justin