A Rare and Unusual Black Forest Sorguhr

This next clock in the collection is a very unusual Sorguhr. This example is different from the traditional Sorguhren in many ways, and at first glance it may even appear to the untrained eye to not be from the Black Forest.

The shield on this sorg is flat brass that has been hand engraved, with a very primitive flower. The whole clock is only 2 7/8" at its largest measurement! It is shown here with a Quarter so you can get a feel for its size.


Although scarcely seen, there are a couple other known examples made by Joseph Sorg with very similar shields. These other examples are also made of flat brass stock, with primitive floral engraving. One example resides in the British Museum in London. This clock can also be seen in the book, "In Die Neue Zeit" Pg 8.
The movement on this Sorguhr is equally unique and we will explain its features here in a moment. The movement is a wood plate, wood arbor movement that is rope drive. The movement has both time and alarm functions. The movement measures in at only 2 3/16" high, 1 7/16" wide, and 1 3/8" deep.The photos with the shield removed lets you see a closer look at this Gem.

The fist thing that is unique about the movement is the alarm trains location. In most Sorguhrn the alarm train is located on the side of the plates where the time train is housed. A small wheel is mounted perpendicular to the rest of the gears. A very simple notched wheel and lever will set and release the alarm at the desired time. On this example the clock maker clearly was experimenting. The Alarm train is located between the plates of the movement, and is in front of the time train. A special cam lever rides a wheel that is notched through the front plate of the movement.A series of pins activate a third hand on the dial to set off the Alarm. A simular set up can also be seen on the Capucine clocks.

We have showed this clock to several experts on Sorguhren in Germany, and they agree this clock is all original and a rare example of Sorguhr.





This next photo set compares this miniature to another traditional sorguhr that we have in our collection (Also a time and alarm variety). You can see the difference in the sizes of the clocks ;)





We are happy to have this little Gem in our collection!

A Rare Apostle Automata Table Clock By Gordian Hettich, Furtwangen

We want to share with you another clock that is a special part of our collection. This is a large Black Forest shelf clock with Automata. It was made by Gordian Hettich and Sohn in Furtwangen, Germany C. 1890.

The case on this piece is done in oak to replicate a Cathedral. In the center of the Cathedral is a large silvered dial that tells the time. Above the dial is two large turrets in the upper tower of the Cathedral.

On the hour the Church bells toll (on three deep gongs). As the bells toll... the two large doors on the upper turrets open. The twelve apostles proceed to walk out of the right turret door and cross the open balcony to the other side. When the last of the Twelve enters the door on the opposite tower the bells stop and the doors close. This is repeated on the hour every hour or on demand.

According to the GHS factory catalog which we have in our collection. The figures of the twelve apostles were reproduced from the famous masterwork works of sculpture Peter Vischer which can be seen in Nürnberg.

All 12 figures are holding items in their hands, from the holy scriptures to weapons to protect Jesus. The last of the twelve is holding a large sack of coins... there is no question to his identity!

The automation can also be activated on demand by a pull cord. There is also a shut off lever with an ivory knob pushing this knob in towards the case will deactivate the automation and gongs, for peace and quiet.

The movement in this clock is a large cast brass movement which is heald together with tapered pins. The movement is clearly stamped GHS on the the bottom center of the back plate. This is a unique and complex movement that was made for the apostle clock, meaning it was produced just for this piece, and not a normal production movement that was modified by the factory.

The automation is controlled by a set of large drive gears located above the plates of the movement. When these drive gears turn they rotate to large wood drums. A hand made brass "chain" runs around these drums, and the wood carved apostles are fixed to the top of the chain standing one infront of the other. When the barrels turn the apostles are looped through the front of the clock across the balcony and back to the inside of the case. There is also a series of cams that open and close the two doors on the front of the turrets at the correct time. A series of three hammers strike three separate high quality gongs, which are mounted to a rod fixed to the bottom of the case.

The time section of the movement will run for 8 days on a winding, the automation and strike must be wound every 36 hours.

We do not know how many of these Apostle Automaton clocks were produced by GHS, but we do know they are extremely rare today. This example with the Ortenburger pedigree... will always hold a special spot in our collection.


This identical clock was documented in the book, "Black Forest Clocks" by Rick Ortenburger in 1991. This book is the most complete and authoritative book on the subject published in English.

This clock was worthy to have a full page dedicated to it, showing both the front as well as the movement with a detailed description. This is an honor held by only a small handful of special clocks throughout the 265+ page text.

For us... this clock represents the end of a nearly 10 year search, to locate and purchase this piece. Years ago we set out to find, locate, and purchase several of the unique or Rare Black Forest clocks that were photographed in the Ortenburger text. Over the past decade we have located nearly all of the clocks on our list, and they are now a part of our private museum.

This clock is being shown here as we purchased it.

The bars seen in the photo above were added to keep the figures upright. When the automation is in action they move across the track,and they tend to wobble around and get hung up.

You can see in the photo taken from Ortenburgers text the bars have been there since at least 1991. Since they are not permidently attached to the clock, and aid in the automation working without problems... we have decided to leave them on the clock.

The clock is in working condition, and we have included a video to show you this piece in action.

The clock does need some minor restoration to the case, which we have plans to get underway in 2010.

We will update this post when the clock is finished.

Best,

Justin J. Miller

A Closer look at a Black Forest Peddler Timepiece UHRENTRÄGER

In this post we want to share with you a little more information about a rare miniature clock produced in the Black Forest. There were many different types of miniatures made in the black Forest including the Sorg or Sorguhr, Jockele,and Scottenuhr. The clock peddler or Uhrentrager was also a form of miniature made C. 1850-60.

The clock peddler is a prominent symbol of the Black Forest clock industry. It is an image that is still used today. The history of the clock peddler goes back to the early Black Forest clock industry, where the farmers would produce clocks in the cold winter months. In the spring the young men would load them up on their back and travel to far aways places, selling the clocks.



In the mid 19Th C. the first Black Forest timepieces where made in the image of the clock peddler, these figures are dressed in the traditional Black Forest attire. The figure is made of sheet tin, hand formed into the likeness of the peddler. He stands on a linden wood base, which is then veneered in a fancy burl. The peddler stands anywhere from 15-16" high.



In his arms he holds a miniature working timepiece. This miniature clock is under 3" high and is fully functioning. The front shield has an enamel dial. A miniature pendulum swings below as the clock ticks. The movement is a quality thick brass plate movement with a silk thread suspension and will run for one day.

In his left hand he holds the pendulums for the clocks he carries to sell. On his back is another clock, this clock is a non functioning example. The dial on the clock on the back lifts to reveal a small space for holding the key that is used to wind the clock.



While these Black Forest miniatures have been produced from the mid 19C. up until modern times... the original period examples are extremely rare and collectible. A good clean example will easily bring thousands at auction.

We currently have two examples in our collection (although we will most likely end up holding on to just one of the two).



The photos of this example here is the newest addition to our collection,and is being shown as it arrived to us from Europe today. It is an extremely original example, that retains its original paint and all accessories.

We have put together a small you tube video on the uhrentrager, so you can see what a period example looks like up close (and inside).

We hope you enjoy this rare look at a special early Black Forest clock.

A Monumental Emilian Wehrle Musical Automata Clock

We just added this 50" Emilian Wehrle musical shelf clock to our collection.

This clock is exquisitely carved shelf example, made c 1880 in Furtwangen, Germany. There are 8 full relief live animals carved into this monster case. The top has a family of three mountain goats high up on a rocky ledge. Fern, grass, oak leafs and acorn make up the motif down the sides of the case. At the bottom of the forest floor there is a family of 5 birds with rocks and ferns.

This clock has the largest movement that Emilian Wehrle made. A 8 day three train (time, strike, and Music) movement. On the hour two large flute players step forward and one of two musical tunes is played on a rank of 8 wood pipes.

This clock is being showed as we purchased it. Although it is in excellent original condition.. it does need a musical overhaul and some minor carving work done (and one hand repair).We will be starting the work very soon, and will have the clock full restored by early spring.


We just purchased this clock in New York City, from the Schwartz family who have owned it for over 100 years. The current owners father immigrated to the US in 1890 and was a watch maker and jeweler. His main retail store "L.B. Schwartz" was located on the Corner of 5th Avenue and Bergen Street in Brooklyn, NY. This clock graced his flagship store until 1946.



Here is a photo of the L.B. Schwartz 1906 store in Brooklyn, NY




These two photos are of Mr. Schwartz behind the counter and at his work bench.


The clock was inherited by his son long ago now in his 80's... and through his research looking for a good home for this clock... We were contacted through our website, and a deal was struck. I personally flew out to NYC and safely collected the clock within 24 hours of making a deal.

We are always interested in hearing about other fantastic Black Forest Clocks, and will travel for good pieces.


If you have a Black Forest Clock that you believe we would be interested in, We would love to hear from you. We are always buying quality Black Forest Clocks to add to our private museum.

Best,

Justin J. Miller

A Rare Emilian Wehrle Singing Bird Clock C.1875

This next piece is a fantastic Singing Bird Clock made in Furtwangen C.1875. This example in in a wonderful Neo-Classical style case. The case is a Dark Walnut, with Ebony trim and gold accents.

The movement in this clock is a very robust brass plate three train movement, the largest Emilian Wehrle made. This movement is 8 day time, strike on the hour, bird song, and automation.

Perched in an arch way on the top of the case is a large songbird, with animation to the head, beak and tail.

On the hour the bird comes alive, followed by the strike on a large gong.

The Singing bird clock is one of the hardest of all Emilian Wehrle's clocks to find. In fact you can count all known examples worldwide on your two hands.

We are very lucky to have captured two beautiful examples in our collection. Our other example is a carved wall model and is featured below on our site.

This clock was purchased through our website. We are always looking to add unique Black Forest Clocks to our private collection. If you have a clock you believe would be of interest please contact me directly at madeinfurtwangen@yahoo.com. If you know where a fantastic clock is, that you do not own... we will pay finders fees for any clock purchased through a referral.

A Early Black Forest Soldier Automaton

This early Black Forest soldier Automaton is one of the favorite shield clocks in our collection. This clock shows a more primitive style of Black Forest Clock making…and was made in a time before the mass production of the large factories. It was made by a true clock maker, in the Black Forest that took pride in his work.
The soldier automaton is a favorite done by the Black Forest clockmakers. While most of these soldier clocks seen today are incorporated into the shelf cuckoo (and made C. 1880-1900)… These early shield variety were made a generation or two earlier, and in much fewer numbers …and are difficult to locate today.
This Automaton was made C. 1820. It has a early wood plate, wood spindle movement.. The movement has Time, Strike & Automation. The two trains on this clock are front to back. The clock is in fantastic condition for its age, the soildier cannon...normaly missing or replaced are period. This clock is very pleasing to the eye. While most automated clocks the automation is hooked up to the strike train...where the automation is viewed every hour… the soldier is one of the few where the automation is connected to the time train. This creates constant action that can be seen as the pendulum swings.
On this piece the Soldier marches in front of the mansion, guarding the palace with his gun. When he reaches the turret on the right hand side, he quickly turns around…and begins his march in the other direction. He then marches back across the front of the clock to the cannon on the left…were he spins again. This is repeated over and over as the clock ticks.
This clock was located in Holland. We had is serviced in Europe prior to sending it back to the USA.. It is all cleaned…and working as it did when it was made... nearly 200 years ago.

A carved Black Forest Musical 8 day Regulator with Upright Disk

This Black Forest carved musical regulator was made C 1880. The clock is unsigned and the maker is unknown.
The carvings are done well, and are all walnut. The clock has a nice motif of two full relief mountain goats on a rock ledge, overlooking the clock. The movement in this piece is a large brass plate, 8 day, musical movement. The gears in this movement are very robust. The bottom Gears on this musical clock that engage the musical disk are 3/8” thick and hand cut. The movement in this clock is a musical movement, with a clock incorporated. This large movement has a large double butterfly that extends out the top, this butterfly regulates the speed at which it turns a large upright disk…as well as all the drive gears and cam wheels to start and stop the music. As the large gear on the bottom of the movement rotates the musical disk that is mounted to a cast iron bedplate across the musical combs… the tune...“ Long Long Ago” fills the room. The carved front door creates a lattice for the music to escape into the room, and was done well. The upright disk is silvered, meaning it was always intended to be seen. While many musical clocks will activate a separate musical movement or music box, the clock works in this piece is the musical movement and provides everything needed…that along with the upright disk is a sign of a high quality piece. While the clock appears in every way to be a production piece, we have never seen another, or found anyone that has either. Most likely it was a piece made as a pre production run, or in very low production by a company that never went into full production.
It is a nice unusual musical clock that we enjoy having as part of our collection.