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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cuckoo clock

Black Forest cuckoo clock

Partially verified

This catalogued Black Forest cuckoo clock features an arched wooden case measuring 45 centimetres high, flanked by turned side columns. The front panel is decorated with carved foliate leaf patterns surrounding a dark circular dial. Applied lighter Roman numerals denote the hours, driven by pierced decorative hands, alongside two winding apertures. Above the dial aperture, a small door opens to reveal the cuckoo bird figure. The lower structure incorporates an interlaced carved frieze resting atop a shaped, stepped plinth base.

Front three-quarter view of the late 19th-century Black Forest cuckoo clock with lot tag 249
Front three-quarter view of the late 19th-century Black Forest cuckoo clock with lot tag 249 — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Cuckoo clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
249
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

Identity and Catalogued Form

In Bonhams auction documentation for lot 249, this timepiece is described as a 'late 19th Century Black Forest cuckoo clock'. The case architecture is specifically catalogued as an 'arched case flanked by turned columns', with a recorded height of '45cm high'.

The auction took place on 25 August 2010 in Oxford as part of an Art and Antiques sale, realizing a price of £264 including premium.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 249”
  • “A late 19th Century Black Forest cuckoo clock,”
  • “arched case flanked by turned columns, 45cm high.”
  • “Art and Antiques”
  • “25 August 2010, 11:00 BST”
  • “Oxford”
  • “Sold for £264 inc. premium”

Case Architecture and Visible Carving

Visible observation shows an arched wooden case structured with turned side pillars and relief leaf carvings positioned above the dial area.

A white auction lot tag bearing the numeral '249' is attached near the front base of the clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Arched wooden case with turned side pillars and relief leaf carvings above the dial”
  • “White auction lot tag marked '249' attached to the front base”

Dial and Automaton Elements

The clock front incorporates a circular dial fitted with applied lighter Roman numerals, pierced hands, and twin winding arbors.

Positioned directly above the dial aperture is an open cuckoo door displaying an emerging cuckoo figure.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular dial with applied lighter Roman numerals, pierced hands, and twin winding arbors”
  • “Open cuckoo door above the dial showing an emerging cuckoo figure”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber and strike/cuckoo mechanism (e.g. bellows and pipes vs. gong) are installed inside the case?
  • Are any maker marks, stamps, or labels present on the movement plates or interior wooden case?
  • What specific wood species was used for the case and turned columns?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Black Forest cuckoo clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Datelate 19th Century“late 19th Century”
OriginBlack Forest“Black Forest”
Case Designarched case flanked by turned columns“arched case flanked by turned columns”
Height45cm high“45cm high”
Auction Sale Date25 August 2010“25 August 2010, 11:00 BST”
Auction LocationOxford“Oxford”
Price Realized£264 inc. premium“Sold for £264 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • Arched wooden case with turned side pillars and relief leaf carvings above the dial
  • Circular dial with applied lighter Roman numerals, pierced hands, and twin winding arbors
  • Open cuckoo door above the dial showing an emerging cuckoo figure
  • White auction lot tag marked '249' attached to the front base

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement mechanism, maker stamps, and rear case are not visible in the listing photographs
  • Specific wood species is not specified in the auction catalogue description

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A late 19th Century Black Forest cuckoo clock,arched case flanked by turned columns, 45cm high.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2973d1e09c

Terms in this record

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

Other cuckoo clock records