Trumpeter Clock made by Emilian Wehrle C. 1880

Today we spent a good amount of time rearranging clocks in the collection to find the right spot to display a new addition of another Large Emilian Wehrle musical clock, it is always challenging to integrate these large pieces with the rest of the collection... but we could have worse problems! ;)
After getting all the clocks into their new spots... we took some pictures of some "old friends" and decided to share one of them with you here today. While this clock is featured on our blog in a earlier post, we believe the photos taken today will give you a better look at this wonderful piece.

This trumpeter clock was made by Emilian Wehrle C.1880 in Furtwangen, Germany. It represents the absolute pinnacle of all trumpeter clocks which were ever produced. The movement is a 8 day three train movement, the largest Wehrle made. It is a 8 horn example, which plays the William Tell Overture on the hour.
The case is unreal, it is truly a clock that must be seen in person to truly appreciate and understand. Pictures do not do this piece justice...or show how massive this clock truly is... and the presence it has on the room. It is a clock that must be displayed by itself, as any other carved clock that we own is immediately humbled, and hides in this clocks shadow.
Every inch of the case is carved. The front case, the side of the case, the roof,the side doors, even under the roof where it is not visible. The detail is unreal.
This clock is 44.5" high and over 30" wide. This piece is over 100 pounds. It has been well carved for its whole life, and is in wonderful original condition. On a earlier post you can hear the music that this clock plays on the hour.
It is one of our favorites in the collection, and a clock we believe no matter how long we search, will never find another superior.
We are always looking to document other musical clocks made by Emilian Wehrle. If you have a Wehrle clock of any quality, in any condition we would love to "talk clocks"

Best,

Justin J. Miller

madeinfurtwangen@yahoo.com

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.

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