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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cuckoo clock

Johann Baptist Beha Model 589 Cuckoo Clock

Partially verified

This carved wooden cuckoo clock is catalogued by the seller as model 589 by Johann Baptist Beha, dating to circa 1895. The carved wooden case features vines, foliage, a perched bird at the apex, and two parent cuckoos flanking a nest of three eggs below the dial. The dial presents applied white Roman numerals and carved bone hands. The seller reports an eight-day twin fusee movement with wooden plates, coiled end click springs, and a tapered steel stop work piece, sounding on the hour and half hour with a cuckoo call followed by a strike on a coiled gong mounted to the backboard.

Front view of the carved wooden Beha model 589 cuckoo clock case, dial, and hands
Front view of the carved wooden Beha model 589 cuckoo clock case, dial, and hands — Carlton Clocks. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
antiques-atlas.com
Category
Clock · Cuckoo clock
Maker / attribution
Johann Baptist Beha
Reference
589
Catalogue / lot identifier
as392a658 / B370
Source-reported date
circa 1895
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 Construction and Aesthetic Details

The object is a carved wooden cuckoo clock with dimensions of 21 1/2 inches in height, 13 inches in width, and 8 1/2 inches in depth. The case features carving, described as vines, grape clusters, and foliage around the dial aperture.

A sculpted bird is positioned at the top of the case. A lower carved scene shows two birds flanking a nest containing three eggs.

Evidence for this section
  • “Height: 21 1/2 inches (55 cms) Width: 13 inches Depthl 8 1/2 inches”
  • “The carving of the case is exceptionally good. The shaped sides are the most distinctive feature of this model, but the two cuckoos tending to their nest to the centre are rather magnificent, depicted in great detail.”
  • “Sculpted bird perched at the crest above the aperture door for the cuckoo.”
  • “Lower carved scene depicting two birds flanking a nest containing three eggs.”

Dial, Hands, and Provenance Labels

The clock includes a wooden dial with applied white Roman numerals and hand-carved bone hands.

A sticker for Camerer Cuss, a London-based clockmaker and importer of Black Forest clocks, is present on the back door.

Evidence for this section
  • “The wooden dial has applied white Roman numerals. The hand carved bone hands are the matching original pair.”
  • “It also bears a sticker for Camerer Cuss, a London-based clockmaker who imported a large number of high quality Black Forest clocks into Great Britain.”

Mechanical Features and Source Disclosures

The clock is reported to have an eight-day twin fusee movement with wooden plates. Technical details noted by the seller include coiled end click springs on the fusee stop work and a tapered steel piece behind the count wheel.

The clock sounds a cuckoo call on the hours and half hours, followed by a strike on a coiled gong mounted to the backboard. Internal markings, including a handwritten '589' on the back door, are reported by the seller and not visible in the provided image.

Evidence for this section
  • “The eight day twin fusee movement has wooden plates and the usual Beha distinguishing features – the coiled end click springs on the fusee stop work and the tapered steel piece behind the count wheel, both visible on the back plates.”
  • “The clock cuckoos on the hours and the passing of the half hour. The cuckoo is followed by a strike on the coiled gong mounted on the backboard.”
  • “The back door has a hand-written 589 on it, which corresponds to the model number in the catalogue of around 1895.”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival or printed catalogue is the basis for the model '589' attribution?
  • Are there identifiable hallmarks on the movement plates beyond the described 'Beha distinguishing features'?
  • How do the woodcarver variations mentioned by the seller affect the identification of 'model 589' across different examples?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Johann Baptist Beha Model 589 Cuckoo Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model Number589“This is a fine example of model # 589 from Johann Baptist Beha”
Movement TypeEight-day twin fusee movement with wooden plates“The eight day twin fusee movement has wooden plates and the usual Beha distinguishing features”
Striking MechanismCuckoo call and coiled gong strike on hours and half hours“The clock cuckoos on the hours and the passing of the half hour. The cuckoo is followed by a strike on the coiled gong mounted on the backboard.”
Importer LabelCamerer Cuss sticker on back door“It also bears a sticker for Camerer Cuss, a London-based clockmaker who imported a large number of high quality Black Forest clocks into Great Britain.”
Dial and HandsWooden dial with applied white Roman numerals and hand-carved bone hands“The wooden dial has applied white Roman numerals. The hand carved bone hands are the matching original pair.”
Dimensions21 1/2 in (55 cm) height × 13 in width × 8 1/2 in depth“Height: 21 1/2 inches (55 cms) Width: 13 inches Depthl 8 1/2 inches”
Attributed DateCirca 1895“dating from c.1895”

Visible details

  • Ornate carved wood case featuring vines, grape clusters, and foliage surrounding the dial opening.
  • Sculpted bird perched at the crest above the aperture door for the cuckoo.
  • Lower carved scene depicting two birds flanking a nest containing three eggs.
  • Dark wooden dial with carved bone hands and applied white Roman numerals.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement features and back door handwritten markings are source-reported and not visible in the primary photograph.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Beha Cuckoo Clock Model 589 as392a658 / B370

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 836552b6e1

Terms in this record

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

Other cuckoo clock records