Whether you're looking for a German Clock, a Black Forest Cuckoo Clock, a Traditional Cuckoo Clock, or a Cuckoo Clock with Music, you'll find it here.
Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks
Among the many Black Forest cuckoo clocks available, the Chalet style is one of the most popular. The trademark Black Forest-or Alpine house and cameo image of pastoral life adorn these timepieces. They are also guaranteed to captivate children.
The first Black Forest clocks were made from wood. The first blackforest clock was made from a wood beam. These were later replaced with the Schilderuhr clocks, which added chimes and hand painted decorations.
These early Black Forest clocks were sold by clock peddlers on the backs of horse drawn carts. These clocks were made in the long winter months of the year.
In the mid-18th century, the clock industry in the Black Forest grew rapidly. Many clock-making shops produced cuckoo clocks with wooden gears. The clock peddlers had effective distribution channels and made 600,000 clocks a year.
The cuckoo clock industry became a main source of income for the Black Forest residents. The craftsmen carved clocks from the local wood, and they fashioned woodland elements such as vine tendrils.
Traditional Cuckoo Clocks
Traditionally, cuckoo clocks are made from wood. The wood used is usually linden, a European hardwood. The wood used may be bought from the log with the bark removed.
The wood is cut into various sizes. Some models are produced in block form, while others may be purchased in lengths. A cuckoo clock is assembled in two stages.
The first step involves the selection of the wood for the clock. The wood is carefully selected, so as to limit the amount of scrap produced. A box-like case for the clock works is cut to fit, and the pieces are then glued together. The bellows are also made of wood. This is attached to the top of the clock, and is connected to the movement.
The second step involves the carving of the wood frame. A wood worker cuts the wood to lengths, then shapes it. Wood shavings are produced from the carving process.
A third movement is then activated. This is the mechanism for the cuckoo's sound. The pipes that produce the sound are made from wood or metal. Some models are equipped with electronics, while others are still mechanical.
Cuckoo Clocks With Music
Whether you're in the market for a new clock or simply looking to enhance your collection, a little research into German clocks with music may be in order. Although these time pieces are popular since their inception, there are actually a few things to look out for when shopping for the perfect one.
A good old-fashioned clock is always in style, but the more elaborate clocks may have more to offer. These may feature intricate carvings, Swiss music boxes and a host of other features, but the most impressive feature of all may be the mechanical moving parts.
In fact, the best way to judge a clock's quality is to take it to an expert antique dealer. If the clock is a bit on the expensive side, then it might be time to consider the next generation of collectors instead. These collectors are typically passionate about the piece and find a real value in the passing on of its many fine qualities.
Cuckoo Clocks That Move Across the Table Every Hour
During the 18th century, people in the Black Forest started making clocks. These were mainly carved by hand. There was a strong demand for these clocks. However, the mechanical cuckoo clock took a century to reach the Black Forest.
In the early 19th century, the two main forms of the cuckoo clock were the weight-driven clock and the framed clock. Weights were usually placed below the clock and opened every hour. They were sometimes shaped like pine cones, gnomes or other odd objects.
In the middle of the 19th century, the Black Foresters started experimenting with different forms. In some cases, a musical movement was added after the cuckoo call. These models require additional parts and are more expensive.
These models also featured colorful fronts, five wine leaves and a deer head on top. The outer designs started with paper sketches, which were then transferred onto the wood. A hand-carved sculptor would then cut out the designs. The weights were carved into the shapes of pine cones or other odd objects.
