A Rare Beha Cuckoo with Oil Painting and Double Eye Automation Augenwender

This next clock is a wonderful example of an early Beha picture frame cuckoo clock. Beha records show this clock was made in 1856, and as you can see from the photos it has survived very well.

The clock has a wonderful painting on zinc that is framed in a wonderful high gloss black frame with stenciled corners.

The painting behind the glass shows a hunter holding his gun with his dog. The dog is just about to flush the rabbit whose moments are clearly numbered.

They eye of the dog and the rabbit move with the swing of the pendulum. In most Black Forest clocks with eye automation, the automation scene is almost always above the dial. This clock is special as the automation action is below the dial, allowing the cuckoo bird to emerge from the tree within the painting.

The detail work on this clock is just fantastic.

The clock is equipped with a spring driven wood plate movement that will run for 50 hours. There is also a feature on this movement where with the pull of a lever through the side door the gong can be disabled quieting the call.

The clock is being shown here with the movement removed from the case in preparation for restoration.

We will update the post with a final photograph when the clock is finished.

We are always looking to add Black Forest clocks with paintings (tinplate) to our collection, both with and without cuckoo or automation.

If you have something you would like to share, I would love to hear from you.

Best,

Justin J. Miller

www.blackforestclocks.org

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

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.