Clock · Shelf cuckoo clock

Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha Black Forest Fusee Shelf Cuckoo Clock

Partially verified

This Black Forest shelf cuckoo clock is attributed by Fontaine's Auction Gallery to Johann Baptist Beha and catalogued to the late nineteenth century. The clock is housed in a rosewood veneered case decorated with brass and colored inlay, surmounted by an open carved scroll cresting above an arched cornice and raised on a shaped plinth base with carved feet. The circular painted dial displays Roman hour numerals, two winding apertures, pierced hands, and a central painted pictorial scene. According to auction records, the movement is an unsigned eight-day fusee wood-plate movement with cuckoo mechanism. The case measures 22 1/2 by 15 by 8 inches.

Three-quarter front view of the attributed Johann Baptist Beha rosewood shelf cuckoo clock — Fontaine's Auction Gallery. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.fontainesauction.com
Category: Clock · Shelf cuckoo clock
Maker / attribution: Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 68
Source-reported date: late 19th century
Country: Germany

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Architecture and Decoration

The clock is designed as a shelf model catalogued with dimensions of 22 1/2 by 15 by 8 inches. The case is constructed with rosewood veneer and ornamented with brass inlay, featuring an arched cornice topped by carved openwork scroll cresting. Visual observation also reveals brass and polychrome foliate scroll inlay applied to the front case around the dial and across the plinth base.

A small rectangular hinged access door fitted with a latch is visible on the side panel. The auction catalogue includes a condition note stating "Retaines original finish and painted dial, minor spots of veneer lifting, not running, cuckoo functional but bird stays out with doors open."

Evidence for this section

“22 1/2 x 15 x 8 inches”
“rosewood veneer with brass inlay”
“Arched cornice surmounted by carved openwork scroll cresting.”
“Brass and polychrome foliate scroll inlay applied to the front case around the dial and across the plinth base.”
“Side panel shows a small rectangular hinged access door with latch.”
“Retaines original finish and painted dial, minor spots of veneer lifting, not running, cuckoo functional but bird stays out with doors open.”

Dial and Visual Features

Exterior observation shows a circular painted dial set into the front case. The chapter ring features black Roman hour numerals accompanied by pierced metal hands and two winding apertures.

The center of the dial features a painted central landscape vignette. The auction description notes the piece "Retaines original finish and painted dial," but gives no further details regarding the pictorial scene or dial artist.

Evidence for this section

“Painted round dial featuring black Roman numerals, dual winding apertures, pierced metal hands, and a painted central landscape vignette.”
“Retaines original finish and painted dial”

Mechanism and Attribution Limitations

The auction entry records the item as "Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)" and dates it to the late 19th century. However, the movement is explicitly described as "unsigned," indicating that the attribution to Beha is source-reported rather than evidenced by an inscribed maker's mark.

The movement is catalogued as an "8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo." Because internal clockwork components are not visible in the provided exterior photograph, the internal wood plates, fusee mechanisms, and cuckoo bellows remain unverified visually.

Evidence for this section

“Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)”
“late 19th century”
“8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo, unsigned”

Open research questions

What specific internal construction features, case stamps, or plate configurations led the auction house to attribute this unsigned movement to Johann Baptist Beha?
What specific landscape or architectural subject is depicted in the central painted dial vignette?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha Black Forest Fusee Shelf Cuckoo Clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Attribution	Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)	“Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)”
Date	late 19th century	“late 19th century”
Case Materials	rosewood veneer with brass inlay	“rosewood veneer with brass inlay”
Movement	8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo	“8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo”
Signature	unsigned	“unsigned”
Dimensions	22 1/2 x 15 x 8 inches	“22 1/2 x 15 x 8 inches”
Auction Catalogued Condition	Retaines original finish and painted dial, minor spots of veneer lifting, not running, cuckoo functional but bird stays out with doors open	“Retaines original finish and painted dial, minor spots of veneer lifting, not running, cuckoo functional but bird stays out with doors open.”

Visible details

Arched cornice surmounted by carved openwork scroll cresting.
Brass and polychrome foliate scroll inlay applied to the front case around the dial and across the plinth base.
Painted round dial featuring black Roman numerals, dual winding apertures, pierced metal hands, and a painted central landscape vignette.
Side panel shows a small rectangular hinged access door with latch.

Research qualifications

Attribution to Johann Baptist Beha is source-reported; the movement is catalogued as unsigned.
Internal wood-plate fusee movement and cuckoo components are not visible in the supplied exterior photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Lot - Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898), Black Forest Fusee Shelf Cuckoo Clock

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record cd71095243

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other shelf cuckoo clock records

Johann Baptist Beha Model 519 B Shelf Cuckoo Clock