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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cuckoo clock

Schwarzwald cuckoo clock, Camerer, Kuss & Co

Partially verified

This early 20th-century Schwarzwald cuckoo clock is associated by the source with Camerer, Kuss & Co. The carved wooden case features a pitched tiled roof surmounted by a bird, with extensive fruiting vine ornamentation surrounding the cuckoo aperture, dial, and fenced lower section resting on a plinth base. The five-inch wooden dial exhibits concentric ring turning at the centre, applied Roman numerals, and pierced foliate hands. According to the auction description, the clock houses a twin-train fusee movement with wooden plates that sounds the hour and half hour using two tone pipes and a gong, originally intended to trigger a cylinder musical mechanism in the base.

Schwarzwald cuckoo clock associated with Camerer, Kuss & Co
Schwarzwald cuckoo clock associated with Camerer, Kuss & Co — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Cuckoo clock
Maker / attribution
Camerer, Kuss & Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
47
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 Design and Carved Decoration

The clock case measures 50 cm (19.5 in) in height and features a pitched roof described as 'tiled' with fruiting vine gables, surmounted by a carved bird perched on foliage. Carved grapevine decoration continues down the front facade surrounding the cuckoo door aperture and the dial.

Below the dial, the lower section includes an enclosed rustic fence motif resting on a rectangular plinth base, which houses the cylinder musical movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 'tiled' pitched roof with fruiting vine gables, surmounted by a carved bird”
  • “with corresponding decoration around the dial and cuckoo aperture, all raised on a plinth base”
  • “50cm (19.5in)”
  • “Carved bird perched on foliage cresting the pitched gable roof.”
  • “Lower portion enclosed with a rustic vine-and-trellis fence over a rectangular plinth base.”

Dial and Hands

The five-inch wooden dial displays applied Roman numerals marking the hours, pierced foliate-carved hands, and concentric ring turning at the centre.

Two winding arbors are positioned horizontally on either side of the center arbor below the handset.

Evidence for this section
  • “the 5 inch Roman dial with applied numerals and carved foliate hands over the ring turned centre”
  • “Wooden dial with applied Roman numerals, ring-turned center, two winding arbors, and carved foliate hands.”

Reported Movement, Striking, and Base Music Mechanism

The internal mechanism is not visible in the catalogue photograph, but the auction description states it is a twin-train fusee movement fitted with wooden plates and wound with chain or gut lines. Striking is reported to sound on the hour and half hour using two tone pipes alongside a striking gong.

The auction source notes that the movement was originally arranged to activate a cylinder musical movement installed in the plinth base, though this mechanism is reported to be disconnected. The lot title associates the clock with Camerer, Kuss & Co, dating it to the early 20th century, with a footnote referencing a comparable model by Johann Baptist Beha illustrated in Rick Ortenburger's 'Black Forest Clocks'.

Evidence for this section
  • “the twin train fusee (chain gut) movement with wooden plates sounding the hour and half hour through two tone pipes and striking on a gong”
  • “originally activating the cylinder musical movement in the base (now disconnected)”
  • “An early 20th century Schwarzwald cuckoo clock Camerer, Kuss & Co”
  • “A similar model by Johann Baptist Beha is illustrated in Rick Ortenburger's 'Black Forest Clocks' (1991), pages 104 and 105.”

Open research questions

  • What specific retailer labels, dial signatures, or movement stamps link the clock to Camerer, Kuss & Co versus manufacturer Johann Baptist Beha?
  • Is the twin-train fusee currently strung with chains or gut lines?
  • What physical detachment or damage prevents the striking train from activating the cylinder musical movement in the plinth base?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Schwarzwald cuckoo clock, Camerer, Kuss & Co
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Roof and Case CrestingTiled pitched roof with fruiting vine gables, surmounted by a carved bird“The 'tiled' pitched roof with fruiting vine gables, surmounted by a carved bird”
Dial5 inch Roman dial with applied numerals and carved foliate hands“the 5 inch Roman dial with applied numerals and carved foliate hands over the ring turned centre”
MovementTwin train fusee movement with wooden plates“the twin train fusee (chain gut) movement with wooden plates”
Acoustics and StrikingTwo tone pipes and striking gong“sounding the hour and half hour through two tone pipes and striking on a gong”
Base Musical Movement StatusCylinder movement disconnected“originally activating the cylinder musical movement in the base (now disconnected)”
Height50cm (19.5in)“50cm (19.5in)”
Fusee Line TypeChain or gut“(chain gut)”
Literature ComparisonJohann Baptist Beha model illustrated in Rick Ortenburger's 'Black Forest Clocks' (1991), pp. 104–105“A similar model by Johann Baptist Beha is illustrated in Rick Ortenburger's 'Black Forest Clocks' (1991), pages 104 and 105.”
Auction ResultSold for £2,125 including premium on 13 December 2011“Sold for £2,125 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • Carved bird perched on foliage cresting the pitched gable roof.
  • Wooden dial with applied Roman numerals, ring-turned center, two winding arbors, and carved foliate hands.
  • Cuckoo door aperture visible above the dial, surrounded by carved grapevine motifs.
  • Lower portion enclosed with a rustic vine-and-trellis fence over a rectangular plinth base.

Research qualifications

  • The internal twin-train fusee movement and tone pipes are not visible in the photograph.
  • The source reports that the cylinder musical movement in the base is disconnected.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An early 20th century Schwarzwald cuckoo clock Camerer, Kuss & Co

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8ddd190f48

Terms in this record

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

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