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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cuckoo clock

Black Forest cuckoo clock in original travelling case

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this early 20th-century Black Forest cuckoo clock is housed in a carved wooden case modelled as a chalet. The exterior is decorated with scrolling vine leaves and features a shuttered window above the dial. The dial displays carved bone hands and Roman numerals, flanked by two winding apertures. Internally, the source reports a twin-train movement with an outside countwheel that strikes on a gong, accompanied by a pendulum. The clock stands 41 cm high and was sold with an original travelling case fitted with a cast iron swing handle.

Front view of the chalet-style carved wood Black Forest cuckoo clock
Front view of the chalet-style carved wood Black Forest cuckoo clock — 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
287
Source-reported date
early 20th 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 Carved Decoration

The clock case is structured as a carved wooden chalet measuring 41 cm in height according to the auction description. The front facade displays openwork pierced carving featuring grape clusters and scrolling vine leaves surrounding the central body and base gallery. Above the dial, the pitched roof has a shingle pattern, beneath which is positioned a small shuttered aperture.

The auction catalogue dates the clock to the early 20th century. While the visible photograph shows the chalet form and extensive foliage carving, physical details such as internal wood species or finish treatment are not specified in the auction text.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case modelled as a chalet and of typical form with a shuttered window, the whole decorated with scrolling vines leaves”
  • “the clock 41cm high”
  • “Chalet-form carved wooden table or mantel clock case with a pitched shingle-pattern roof.”
  • “Elaborate pierced openwork carving representing grapevines, leaves, and grape clusters decorating the front facade and lower gallery.”

Dial and Hands

The time is displayed on a circular wooden dial positioned on the central facade. The hours are indicated by applied carved bone Roman numerals, read with pierced bone hands. Two winding apertures are set into the lower portion of the dial near the 4 and 8 o'clock positions.

The cataloguer notes that the hands and numerals are carved bone, matching visual observations of the light-colored material against the dark dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “the dial with carved bone hands and numerals”
  • “Central circular wooden dial with carved bone Roman numerals, pierced bone hands, and two winding apertures near the 4 and 8 positions.”

Reported Movement and Travelling Case

The auction entry reports an internal twin-train movement equipped with an outside countwheel that strikes on a gong, accompanied by a pendulum. Because no internal views or rear-case photographs are provided, these internal horological features cannot be confirmed by direct inspection.

The lot description also mentions that the clock is accompanied by an 'original case with cast iron swing handle'. This travelling case is not shown in the lot photograph, and its exact dimensions, materials, and condition are not recorded.

Evidence for this section
  • “the twin train movement with outside countwheel and striking on a gong, with pendulum”
  • “the original case with cast iron swing handle”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker stamps, marks, or paper labels on the back of the case or movement identifying a specific Black Forest manufacturer?
  • What is the construction, condition, and appearance of the unpictured travelling case with the cast iron handle?
  • Does the movement include intact cuckoo automaton linkages and bellows behind the shuttered window?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Black Forest cuckoo clock in original travelling case
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case StyleModelled as a chalet with scrolling vine leaves and a shuttered window“the case modelled as a chalet and of typical form with a shuttered window, the whole decorated with scrolling vines leaves”
Dial DetailsCarved bone hands and numerals“the dial with carved bone hands and numerals”
MovementTwin train with outside countwheel striking on a gong, with pendulum“the twin train movement with outside countwheel and striking on a gong, with pendulum”
Travelling CaseOriginal case with cast iron swing handle“the original case with cast iron swing handle”
Height41 cm“the clock 41cm high”
Auction Sale Price£812.50 inc. premium“Sold for £812.50 inc. premium”
Auction Date16 December 2014“16 December 2014, 12:00 GMT”

Visible details

  • Chalet-form carved wooden table or mantel clock case with a pitched shingle-pattern roof.
  • Central circular wooden dial with carved bone Roman numerals, pierced bone hands, and two winding apertures near the 4 and 8 positions.
  • Shuttered aperture located above the dial beneath the roof gable.
  • Elaborate pierced openwork carving representing grapevines, leaves, and grape clusters decorating the front facade and lower gallery.

Research qualifications

  • Travelling case mentioned in the lot description is not depicted in the provided photograph.
  • Internal twin-train movement, countwheel, gong, and pendulum are not visible in the exterior image.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An early 20th century Black Forest cuckoo clock in original travelling case

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record aeeb23db30

Terms in this record

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

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