A Work of Art on Your Wall
The cuckoo clock is far older than the popular clocks made in the Black Forest region of southwest Germany. This is known because in 1650 the cuckoo clock was part of reference book knowledge recorded in books. It actually took almost a hundred more years before the cuckoo clock arrived in the Black Forest.
For many decades after its arrival the cuckoo clock was only an unimportant niche product. However, although the basic design of putting a cuckoo into a clock didn't begin in the Black Forest, it's certainly true now that the modern Black Forest Cuckoo Clock reproductions are faithful copies of the clocks made there.
It was the people of this region who built up the cuckoo clock industry and developed it into a very successful business. The most valuable Clocks are made to their new designs and technical improvements, which have made this charming clock into a valued piece of art worldwide.
I've described three different, highly decorated types of clock that were once made in the Black Forest hundreds of years ago. All three of them show the great skill of modern craftsmen continuing in a very long tradition.
One type of Black Forest Clock that I've never seen before is the Romback & Hauss Shield Cuckoo clock no. 3402. It has a hand-painted surround of brightly colored flowers on a black background which look really pretty and fresh. The ivory colored dial has black Roman numerals and gold colored hands and two pendulums, which make it look very elegant. It's a reproduction from the workshop of Ingolf Hass and is as interesting as it's beautiful. It looks as if it was just taken off the wall of an 18th century cottage!
This Black Forest Cuckoo Clock has an extra-large carved wooden bird whose wings flap when he cuckoos and a glass bell that tinkles musically just before the cuckoo calls. The cuckoo call is made with wooden whistles and bellows, which along with the bell you can see just behind the front of the clock. This clock is described as the star of the collection and that doesn't surprise me at all, because it's so beautiful. It measures 13"H x 7"W x 4"D and costs 1,271.00 dollars -- so I guess I won't be getting one for Christmas this year!
My next choice is the Rombauch & Hauss 1870 Reproduction Black Forest Clock with Fretwork. It's a great reproduction in the traditional chalet style and the delicately cut filigree case is cut to display the black underneath which makes a really striking pattern. The numbers, hands and cuckoo are made of solid wood and the weights and pendulum are antiqued brass. This particular Black Forest Cuckoo Clock would go with a traditional or an exotic décor because the delicate fretwork design would make it fit in well with Asian, Indian and African-style decorated homes. It has ivory Roman numbers and three pendulums and measures 18"H x 9"W x 6"D. The price is 1,086.00 dollars.
The last Black Forest Cuckoo Clock was chosen as the Black Forest Clock Associations Clock of the Year 2002 and when you see it you can really understand why. It's a beautiful Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in the chalet style with a little scene containing figures on the front of the clock. There's a girl who dances to a pretty music box melody, a water-wheel and a deer. Just by looking at this pretty country scene, you can feel as if you are there with them enjoying the fresh, clean air of the forest. The cuckoo, numbers, hands and dancers are all made of solid wood. The cuckoo and dancers move with the music and bird call. The music box movement is hand-made in Switzerland and the clock measures 12"H x 12"W x 8"D. It costs 686 dollars.
The Black Clock is a luxury item that has retained its wide-ranging popularity for hundreds of years and will, I'm sure, continue to delight and entertain people for many years to come with its unique style and timeless beauty.
